Muhammar

Muhammar is a sweet rice and it's one of the most famous dishes in the Arabian gulf countries specially Bahrain. Muhammar is a must in the bahraini cuisine as a accompaniment to fish and only Fish. Let's try together this wonderful Muhammar recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice, washed
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron
• 2 table spoons rose water
• 3 cardamom pods, cracked
• 6 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 cup ghee or butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
  

Preparation:

• Soak together saffron, cardamom, cloves, and rosewater; leave aside to steep.
• Add rice to 6 cups of boiling water: boil to half cooked about 8 minutes; drain.
• Stir sugar through the hot rice
• Heat the ghee or butter in the same pan the rice was boiled and add the sweetened rice. Sprinkle the rose water mix on top
• Cover the rim of pan with a cloth or paper towels and place lid on tightly
• Cook over very low heat about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to serving platter.
• Top with melted butter.
• Best eaten with fried king fish or rabbit fish (safee)

Arabic Coffee

Arabic coffee is one of the major drinks in Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf region in general. It is served in any occasion and it's always available in any house. You can say it's prepared on daily basis for family members and guests.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons of Arabic coffee
• 3 tablespoons cardamom (coarsely ground)
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron (optional)
  

Preparation:

• Boil the water in a pot.
  
• Add the coffee to the water and bring to a boil over low heat.
• Remove from the heat for five minutes to allow the coffee to settle.
  
• Put the cardamom in the pot, strain the coffee into it and add the saffron. Bring back to boil once and serve.
  

Serves 8-10 persons.

Saudi Kabsa Recipe

Chicken kabsa is one of the most popular dishes in Saudi Arabia. Let's try together a wonderful kabsa recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 2/12 - 3 pound chicken, cut into eight pieces
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 (12 ounce) can tomato puree
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 medium carrots, grated
• Grated rind of one orange
• 4 cardamom pods
• 3 sticks cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound long grain rice
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  

Preparation:

• Sautee onion in oil until it begins to brown. Add chicken pieces, tomato puree, chopped tomatoes and garlic and stir for about five minutes over low heat. Stir in three cups hot water, grated carrot, orange rind, spices, salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat, covered, about 20-25 minutes, until chicken is done.

• Remove chicken. Set aside to keep warm. Stir rice into the liquid in the pan, and cook, covered over low heat for about 35 - 40 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.

• Put rice on a serving platter with chicken pieces arranged around the circumference. Toss raisins and almonds over all.
  

Serves: 6