Best 3 Al Mansaf Recipes

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Al Mansaf is a traditional Jordanian dish that is considered the national dish of the country. It is a hearty and flavorful meal that is perfect for special occasions. The main components of Al Mansaf are rice, lamb, and a tangy yogurt sauce called Jameed. The lamb is typically cooked in a spiced broth until it is fall-off-the-bone tender, and the rice is cooked separately. The Jameed sauce is made from fermented yogurt and is what gives Al Mansaf its unique flavor.

This article provides two different recipes for Al Mansaf: a traditional recipe and a simplified recipe. The traditional recipe is more time-consuming, but it produces a more authentic dish. The simplified recipe is easier to make and is perfect for busy weeknights. Both recipes are delicious and will surely impress your family and friends.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MANSAF



Mansaf image

Mansaf is a popular Jordanian dish typically served at weddings and large gatherings. Made of lamb cooked in a spiced yogurt sauce and served over buttery rice and thin flatbread, this meal is commonly eaten with your hands, but is tasty any way you consume it.

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

6 tablespoons ghee or clarified unsalted butter
2 1/2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch chunks
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large yellow onions, 1 diced and 1 sliced for serving
3 cups whole milk Greek yogurt
1 lemon, juiced
1 large egg white
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
2 cups long-grain rice, such as jasmine
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon sumac

Steps:

  • Heat 1/4 cup ghee in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lamb, 1 tablespoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the pot and cook, stirring once or twice, until well browned on all sides, 6 to 7 minutes.
  • Add the diced onions and stir. Add enough water to cover the lamb and onions and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the lamb is just tender, about 45 minutes.
  • When the lamb is close to done, heat the yogurt, lemon juice, egg white and a pinch of salt and black pepper in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking until combined. Bring to a boil, then add the cumin, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon and allspice and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking frequently, until thickened slightly, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring the rice, 3 cups water and a pinch of salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn the heat off and let sit 10 minutes.
  • Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons ghee in a small skillet. Add the almonds and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the almonds are toasted and golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Top with a pinch of salt and remove from the heat.
  • Pour the yogurt mixture into the pot with the lamb and stir to combine. Simmer, covered, until the lamb is fully tender and can easily be shredded with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the butter and turmeric. Taste and add salt if necessary. Set aside.
  • Spoon the rice onto a large platter. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the lamb on top of the rice. Ladle the broth over the top until the rice looks well saturated (you will not use all the broth). Sprinkle with the almonds and parsley. Pour the remaining broth into a serving bowl and serve alongside the platter. Sprinkle the sliced onions with the sumac and serve on the side to use for scooping.

AL MANSAF



Al Mansaf image

A lavish Saudi Arabian dish named for the large tray on which it's served, al mansaf traditionally calls for layers of thin bread followed by a bed of flavorful rice that's topped with lamb. Martha's adaptation is made with chicken and baked in jumbo muffin tins for a unique presentation.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Pie & Tarts Recipes

Yield Makes 12

Number Of Ingredients 18

5 tablespoons ghee, plus 6 tablespoons melted and more for pans
1 small white onion, diced
1 cardamom pod
1 dried bay leaf
1 small cinnamon stick
1 whole clove
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
2 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups basmati rice
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
3 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
3/4 cup salted cashews, toasted and coarsely chopped
24 (8-inch) square spring roll wrappers, thawed if frozen
1/4 cup chopped pistachios, for garnish

Steps:

  • In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat 3 tablespoons ghee over medium. Add onion, cardamom, bay leaf, cinnamon, clove, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned in spots, about 5 minutes. Add 3 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a cutting board and remove meat from bones; set aside. Strain cooking liquid and discard solids. Return strained cooking liquid to pot.
  • Whisk together 1 1/2 cups yogurt and cornstarch. Add to pot along with chicken, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until chicken is very tender and liquid has reduced and thickened to a sauce-like consistency, about 35 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup yogurt and lemon juice. Remove from heat and let cool. Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  • Meanwhile, make the rice: In a medium saucepan, heat remaining 2 tablespoons ghee over medium. Add rice, turmeric, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring, until rice is lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Add stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes, then stir in cilantro.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. To assemble, brush two 6-cup jumbo nonstick muffin tins with ghee. Place one spring roll wrapper on work surface and lightly brush with melted ghee. (Keep remaining wrappers covered with plastic wrap while you work.) Place a second wrapper on top, overlapping by 3 1/2 inches, to form a rectangle. Transfer to muffin tin, pressing into one of the cups. Fill with about 1/3 cup rice, followed by 1/3 cup chicken mixture, and 1 tablespoon cashews. Bring edges of wrappers up and press together in an irregular pattern to seal. Brush lightly with more melted ghee. Repeat process with remaining wrappers, rice, chicken, and cashews. Bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  • Use an offset spatula to transfer pies to a serving platter. Sprinkle with pistachios before serving.

JORDANIAN MANSAF



Jordanian Mansaf image

Mansaf is the national dish of Jordan and I can understand why. This Bedouin dish is fantastic. Mansaf is served on a large serving platter over khubz (Arabic flat bread) and rice. It is meant to be eaten communally, as part of a social event. Guests gather around the table and enjoy Mansaf, eaten with the finger tips of the right hand. Found at Buttery Books. See Chef Michael Smith's Mansaf experience here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrKOGtcWHIo&feature=player_embedded

Provided by Annacia

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 2h45m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 lbs lean lamb (1-1/2 inch cubes, beef can be substituted)
1/2 cup clarified butter (use samna or ghee if available, or make your clarified butter, see clarified butter note)
salt
pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 cups plain Greek yogurt
1 egg white
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon coriander (see spices note below)
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 cup whole blanched almond
1/2 cup pine nuts
4 -6 loaves pita bread (khubz, Arabic pita-type bread is used in Jordan)
3 cups rice, raw measure, cooked (Jasmine med grain or Basmati is good)
parsley or chives, chopped for garnish

Steps:

  • Wash meat cubes and place in tray with lid. Cover meat with water, cover tray and place in refrigerator for 4-8 hours.
  • Melt 1/4 cup of the clarified butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Drain and pat dry meat cubes. Place in skillet and cook for 20 minutes until browned on all sides. Season meat with salt and pepper, to taste, and add enough water to cover meat. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 1 hour. Add onion and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • While meat and onion are cooking, place yogurt in a large saucepan and whisk over medium heat until liquid. Whisk in egg white and ½ teaspoon of salt. Slowly bring yogurt mixture to boil stirring constantly with a wooden spoon in one direction only to reach desired consistency. Reduce heat to low and allow yogurt to softly simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
  • Stir yogurt into meat and add seasonings as desired. Simmer gently for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, as needed.
  • In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the remaining 4 tablespoons of clarified butter. Add almonds and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in pine nuts and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Split the khubz loaves open and arrange, overlapping on a large serving tray. Melt the last remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and brush over the khubz to soften. Arrange rice over the khubz leaving a well in the center of the rice. Spoon the meat into the rice well and then spoon the butter and nuts over the meat. Sprinkle parsley or chives over top.
  • NOTE ON CLARIFIED BUTTER:.
  • Clarified butter is necessary for frying since it doesn't burn.
  • One stick (or 1/2 cup of butter) will yield about 6 tablespoons of clarified butter. So for this recipe, you will need to clarify approximately 3/4 cup of butter.
  • Following is a simple clarification method. It's not perfect, but easy and close enough. Slowly melt a stick of butter. Remove from heat and allow butter to cool undisturbed for 10 minutes to separate. You will notice a white foam on the top, the clarified butter in the center, and milk solids at the bottom. Carefully, skim the foam off the top and discard. Slowly pour the clarified butter off the milk solids into a measuring cup. Discard, the separated solids.
  • NOTE ON SPICES:.
  • For a more authentic Bedouin flavor add the following spices:.
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
  • ½ teaspoon of cloves.
  • 2 teaspoons of nutmeg.

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality meat: Use lamb or goat meat that is fresh and free from any strong odor.
  • Marinate the meat overnight: This will help tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
  • Use a variety of spices: Al mansaf is a dish that is known for its rich and flavorful spices. Be sure to use a variety of spices, such as cardamom, cumin, coriander, and paprika, to create a complex flavor profile.
  • Cook the rice separately: The rice is an important part of al mansaf, but it should be cooked separately from the meat. This will help prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
  • Serve the dish hot: Al mansaf is best served hot, so make sure to serve it immediately after it is cooked.

Conclusion:

Al mansaf is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for special occasions. With its tender meat, fluffy rice, and rich sauce, al mansaf is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting dish to try, be sure to give al mansaf a try.

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