Best 2 Machbous Ala Djaj Bahrain Recipes

Machboos is a traditional Bahraini dish considered the national dish of Bahrain. It is a flavorful and aromatic dish made with rice, meat, and vegetables. The rice is usually basmati rice, and the meat can be chicken, lamb, or beef. The vegetables typically include tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. Machboos is often served with a side of yogurt or tomato sauce.

There are many different recipes for machboos, but the basic ingredients and cooking method are the same. The rice is first cooked in a pot with water, salt, and spices. The meat and vegetables are then added and cooked until tender. Once the meat and vegetables are cooked, the rice is added back to the pot and cooked until it is fluffy and tender.

In this article, we will provide you with two delicious recipes for machboos:

1. **Machboos Ala Djaj (Chicken Machboos)**: This is the classic Bahraini machboos recipe made with chicken. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful mixture of spices and then cooked until tender. The rice is cooked separately and then combined with the chicken and vegetables.

2. **Machboos Bil Lahm (Lamb Machboos)**: This recipe uses lamb instead of chicken. The lamb is marinated in a mixture of spices and then cooked until tender. The rice is cooked separately and then combined with the lamb and vegetables.

Both of these recipes are easy to follow and will result in a delicious and authentic Bahraini machboos. So, gather your ingredients and let's get cooking!

Let's cook with our recipes!

MACHBOUS ALA DJAJ (BAHRAIN)

Machbous Ala Djaj (Bahrain) image

This recipe is from week 20 of my food blog, "Travel by Stove." I am attempting to cook one meal from every nation on Earth, and Bahrain is my 20th stop. Machbous is a spiced rice dish, considered by many to be the national dish of Bahrain (a small island nation in the Persian Gulf). This version is made with chicken.

Provided by GiddyUpGo

Categories Whole Chicken

Time 1h50m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 large onions, chopped
2 tablespoons ghee or 2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon baharat (the recipe for this spice mix is available on food.com)
1 teaspoon turmeric
chicken
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
3 cloves
1 strip lemon rind
2 cinnamon sticks
6 cardamom pods
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups water
2 cups basmati rice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Steps:

Melt the ghee or butter in a saucepan and frying the onions until they are transparent and beginning to turn brown. Add the baharat and turmeric and stir for another two minutes or so.
Add the chicken pieces to the pot and turn to coat. Cook over a medium heat until the pieces are lightly browned on all sides.
Add the tomatoes, cloves, lemon rind, cinnamon, cardamom pods and salt. Stir to get everything well incorporated, then add the water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for about 45 minutes.
Wash the rice in cold water and drain. Add the rice, cilantro and parsley and bring back to a simmer.
Keep cooking for another 35 to 40 minutes, until chicken is tender and almost all of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and let rest for 10 minutes.

TRADITIONAL BAHRAINI CHICKEN MACHBOOS / MACHBOUS

Traditional Bahraini Chicken Machboos / Machbous image

Machboos is a dish of rice & meat, popular in many Gulf countries & across Saudi Arabia. Here is a version which is traditionally made in Bahrain. If you don't have any Buharat / Baharat spice mix, there are a few here on Zaar to choose from. If you don't want to use a whole chicken, your favourite pieces would be fine too!

Provided by Um Safia

Categories One Dish Meal

Time 2h15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups water
650 g basmati rice
3 tomatoes, quartered
1 -1 1/2 kg chicken
3 onions, finely chopped
1/4 cup coriander leaves, chopped
1 green hot pepper, as desired
2 black dried limes
2 teaspoons baharat spice mix
1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cardamom powder
2 garlic cloves
1 slice gingerroot, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons rose water
3 tablespoons oil
3 teaspoons salt

Steps:

Cut the chicken in half. Heat the water and leave aside. In a small bowl, mix the buharat, turmeric, cumin, and cardamom together and add to the mixture one teaspoon of salt. Sprinkle half of the spice mixture on the chicken halves.
Heat oil in a large cooking pan, fry the onions until golden brown, then add to the pepper and the black limes - you MUST make a hole in each limes.
Add the chicken to the onion mixture and turn it over a few times in the pan. Sprinkle on the chicken a teaspoon of cinnamon and the rest of the mixed spices. Turn the contents all together so the chicken is coated with the spices, cover the pan and let it cook on medium heat for 3 minutes.
Add the garlic, chopped ginger, and tomato cubes to the pan and turn the ingredients in the pan a few times. Cover again for 3 minutes on medium heat. Sprinkle with the rest of the salt and pour on it water while its still hot.
Cover the pan and let it cook for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked. Add the copped coriander 5 minutes before you remove the chicken from the stock in the pan. While the chicken is cooking, wash the rice well and soak for 10 minutes in cold water, then drain.
Remove the chicken from the pan and put on an oven tray, brush with some oil and sprinkle with the rest of the cinnamon powder and grill in the oven until the chicken is golden brown.
Add the rice to the chicken stock, stir, then let it cook on low heat until the rice absorbs the stock and is almost done.
Sprinkle rose water and lemon juice over the rice and place the butter pieces on the top. Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 30 minutes.
Serve the rice on a large serving plate and place the grilled chicken halves on the top.

Tips:

For the best flavor, use high-quality, fresh ingredients.
If you don't have time to make your own spice mix, you can use a store-bought baharat spice blend.
Be careful not to overcook the chicken, or it will become dry and tough.
If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a colander placed over a pot of boiling water.
Serve machbous ala djaj with your favorite sides, such as yogurt sauce, tomato salsa, or pickled vegetables.

Conclusion:

Machbous ala djaj is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With its tender chicken, fluffy rice, and aromatic spices, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give machbous ala djaj a try. You won't be disappointed!