Best 3 Our Iraqi Timman Rice Recipes

TIMMAN Z'AFFARAN (IRAQI SAFFRON RICE WITH MEAT)

Steps:

• Wash rice until water runs clear.
• Cover with cold water and leave to soak for 30 minutes.
• Pound saffron threads, place in a small bowl (I use an Arabic coffee cup, which is perfect size for this) and add the rose water, leaving to steep until required.
• Heat half the oil or ghee in a frying pan (this part tastes better with ghee or butter), add the almonds and fry until becoming golden making sure not to burn them by watching them until done.
• Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon and reserve.
• Add onion to pan and fry gently until transparent.
• Increase heat, add meat and cook, stirring often to make meat crumbly. Fry until the juices evaporate, add baharat (Recipe #79179), 1/2 tsp salt and raisins and fry for 1 minute longer. Remove pan from heat, cover and leave aside.
• Heat remaining oil or ghee in a deep large bottomed pot and add 2 tsp of the saffron-rosewater mixture and the chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
• Drain the rice and add it to the boiling stock with salt to taste. Stir occasionally until rice returns to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and cover pan tightly. Simmer gently until rice is done.
• Fold the meat mixture gently through the rice, cover rim of the pan with two paper towels and set lid on tightly. Leave on low heat for 5 minutes or longer if necessary. Rice should not spoil, though this depends on its quality.
• Pile rice in serving dish or platter and sprinkle with browned almonds and the rest of the saffron-rosewater. This is excellent served with Recipe #384628 or roast lamb or as part of a buffet.

IRAQI HALWA OF TOASTED RICE FLOUR (HALAWAT TIMMAN) (GLUTEN FREE)

Steps:

• Dissolve white sugar and water in a pot and boil for 5 minutes.
• In another pan melt butter and fold in rice flour. stir constantly until rice starts to change colour and emit a pleasant aroma, about 10 minutes.
• Take pots off heat and gradually pour syrup into flour, stirring all the time with a wire whisk to prevent lumping.
• Return pot to heat and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Add freshly ground cardamom and rose water 5 minutes before it is done.
• Spread onto plates and garnish top with toasted almond slivers & crushed pistachio nuts (the green of them in mainly for looks so I just use a tiny bit).
• Enjoy!

KHOUZI ALA TIMMAN (IRAQI LAMB SHANKS AND RICE) (GLUTEN-FREE)

Steps:

• Rinse lamb shanks and place in a large pot with cold water to just cover the meat.
• Add the noomi or lemon rind and bring slowly to a boil, skimming as required.
• In another pan gently fry the onion in the olive oil until transparent.
• Then add the bahrat & turmeric and fry for a further one minute.
• Add tomatoes, approximately 1 1/2 tsp salt and some pepper to taste and raisins if using.
• When lamb shank liquid is well skimmed and simmering, add the tomato mixture.
• Cover and simmer gently for 1 1/2-2 hours until meat is very tender. Towards the end of cooking, place the lid on an angle so that the liquid can reduce to a thick sauce and sqeeze the optional lemon.
• Arrange lamb shanks on a bed of Timman >>> Recipe #366129 pour over sauce and serve with a salad and khoubiz (flat bread).