Majboos recipe/ Arabic recipe

It's cold and showers are non stop in our region. I am loving the rains and early  mornings just don't want to get out of bed. My kids have started there regular classes. All three in three different schools for the first time in life and I am all messed up. All leave at the same time. And pushing them out of the house is the toughest part. Girls are always punctual .. zehna is all set while it ticks just 10 minutes before her bus time. She uses the local transport and so she is always out right on time. But the boys are giving me a really tough time . I am exhausted by the time they all leave and the house is quiet. House comes to a stand still ...that's self time for me if I am on leave from workplace .
Today I am sharing a recipe. It's a novelle recipe from Arabic cuisine. Majboos is famous in the Arab world..we have so many variations but this one is my favourite. I have tried soo many and this turned out well for me .
We don't always make it but we love to have to when everyones tired of the usual Biryani.
Try it out ...hope it turns good for u.
Oh by the way .. it is super easy.. the Arabs have a quick way for everything...I guess.

Ingredients

• 2½ cups long grain rice (any brand will do.)
• 4 chicken breasts , diced
• 1 teaspoon Garam masala mix .( 1 clove,2 cardamoms,1 cinnamon stick, 1 bay leaf 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 3 pepper pods)
• 2 onions , finely chopped
•  1/2 teaspoon garlic paste
• 2 slices dried  lemon
• 2 large tomato , peeled and seeded
• 11/2 teaspoon ginger paste
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• A pinch saffron , infused in warm water
• 10 pods cardamom , crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon Arabic Masala.
• 1/2 cup diced potatoes
• 1/2 cup diced carrots.
• ½ bunch cilantro , chopped
• 4 tablespoons pine nuts , roasted
• Olive oil
• 2 cups boiling water
• Salt
• Pepper

For the raita

• 1 cup plain  yogurt
• 1 cucumber , peeled
• 2 pods pepper crushed.
• A few mint leaves

Method

Chicken Majboos

• In a little olive oil over medium heat,
• Add the whole garam masala and add the onions. Stir fry till slightly brown. Add the ginger and garlic pastes. Stir well.
• Add the chopped potatoes and carrots.
• Add all  masalas powders./Arabic
• Add the chicken , saffron, preserved lemon, tomato. Cook till done.
• Add salt and pepper.
• Stir regularly for 3 minutes, then add boiling water.
• Finally, add the rice and mix well.
• Sprinkle cilantro and pine nuts and serve.

For the raita

• Mix all ingredients and chill before serving.