Saudi Kabsa..


Ingredients for Kabsa

Chicken 1 k.g (cut into 4 pieces or whole chicken) i used without skin
sela rice 2 cups
ginger paste 1 tsp (heaped)
garlic paste 1 tsp (heaped)
chopped onion 1 cup
chilli powder 1 tsp or take 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
salt to taste
cinnamon stick 1
green cardamoms 2-3
cloves 3-4
cumin seeds 1 tsp
kabsa masala 1 tsp (green cardamoms powder 1/4 tsp, cloves powder 1/4 tsp
cinnamon powder 1/4 tsp, mix all together)
tomato paste 2 tsp
tomatoes 3/4 cup (finely chopped)
oil as required
almonds 1/2 cup (blanched)
raisins 1/2 cup
pine nuts 1/4 cup
carrot 1/4 cup (grated)
saffron few strands (dissolved in 2 tbsp of milk)
butter as required
(soak rice in water for 1 hour)


Method:



 In a pan heat oil add cinnamon stick, cloves, green cardamoms, crackle, add sliced onion, cumin seeds, saute, when golden brown in color, add chicken n fry on medium high heat for 3-4 minutes, add ginger paste, garlic paste, fry for 2-3 minutes add tomato paste, some salt, red chilli powder or black pepper powder, fry for 2 minutes, add chopped tomatoes n fry till the tomatoes are dissolved, add kabsa masala, stir.
add 3 cups of water n let it cook on medium low heat till the chicken is 90% done, take out the chicken out n keep in a colander for 5-7 minutes.
In same yakhni (stock) add soaked rice, some more water(check the salt at this point) cook on medium heat, when boil comes reduce the heat, cover the lid, cook on a very low heat till the rice is done.
pre-heat oven on 250 degree, place the chicken pieces in the baking dish, brush dissolved saffron over chicken pieces evenly n bake for 8-10 minutes, take out the chicken n brush some melted butter over it for some shine and extra taste.
In a pan heat 1 tbsp of oil add pine nuts, blanched almonds, shallow fry on low heat till golden brown, take them out, now shallow fry raisins in same oil till golden brown, now add grated carrot n saute on medium heat for 4-5 minutes,add carrots to the rice mix well.
serve kabsa rice in a big platter, sprinkle all the fried nuts, chicken pieces, serve with tomato chutney, cucumber raita.
ENJOY!!!!!