3Boneless chicken breastsWashed and cut into medium pieces
1mediumCarrotCut into batonnet
1cupFrench BeansCut into an 1.5 inch in size
3mediumPotatoesCut into 4 halves each
1bulbGarlicWhole
1mediumOnionWhole
2Star Anise
1tspSalt
4cupsWaterOr use as much as needed until all ingredients are submerged in it
For Rice Pilaf
3cupsWhite riceBasmati or any long grain
2mediumOnionsCut into fine cubes
2mediumTomatoesCut into fine cubes
1tbspGinger Garlic paste
1tspCoriander powder
¾tspCumin powder
1tspRed Chilli powder
1Green Chillifinely cut
2Green ChilliesSlit in the middle
½tspLemon juicefreshly squeezed
8Black peppercornWhole
3Cloves
2inch Cinnamon stick
¼cupOil
1tbspFresh coriander leavesfinely chopped
For Arabic Tomato Chutney
3mediumTomatoesRipe and red in colour
1smallOnionRoughly chopped
1Green chiliRoughly chopped
4Garlic clovesRoughly chopped
3tbspCoriander leavesRoughly chopped
2tbspLime juice
Salt to taste
Instructions
First and foremost, in a bowl wash rice and drain. Repeat this a couple of times until the water starts to turn clearer.Then soak it in clean water for minimum 45 mins or more until it’s time to cook the rice.
Preparing Chicken and Vegetable Stock
In a cooking pot, add all the ingredients mentioned in “Chicken and Vegetable Stock”
Cover and cook it on medium heat for around 20 mins until the chicken and vegetables are tender. A little less than completely cooked as we will be cooking it again with rice.
Using a sieve, drain the stock into a bowl thus separating the chicken and vegetables from the stock. Discard only the garlic bulb and whole onion.Set both aside.
Rice Pilaf
In a bigger and wider cooking pot on medium heat, add the oil.
¼ cup Oil
Once it’s hot add in the cloves, cinnamon and Whole black peppercorns
3 Cloves, 2 inch Cinnamon stick, 8 Black peppercorn
Once the whole spices splutter and release an aroma add in the thinly chopped onions.
2 medium Onions
Fry them until they are brown stirring occasionally.
Then add the ginger garlic paste and fry it for around 2 mins until the raw smell goes away
1 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste
Now add in the finely chopped tomatoes and cook on medium flame for 5 mins until the tomato water dries out.
2 medium Tomatoes
Now on medium low heat, add in all the masala powders and green chilli and cook for around 5 mins.
1 tsp Coriander powder, ¾ tsp Cumin powder, 1 tsp Red Chilli powder, 2 Green Chillies
Add in the cooked chicken and vegetables that you had set aside. Stir it well for around 3 mins until well combined.
Discard the water in which you had soaked the rice and then add the rice to the cooking pot. Sauté for 2 mins
Turn the flame to medium high heat, add in the hot stock around 6 cups if it’s lesser then no problem add the remaining as normal water (make sure the stock it hot enough. If not re heat it in the microwave or on the gas stove before adding it to the cooking pot). To make long grain rice always consider the water to rice ratio as 2:1 (2 cups water for 1 cup rice)
Add ½ tsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Conitnue to cook on medium high heat until just about little water remains. Then reduce the flame to low heat, cover and cook with lid for 5 mins or until the rice is done.
If the rice is still a bit undercooked then you can sprinkle a little water and continue to cover and cook it for another 5 mins.
Finally garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve
Arabic Tomato Chutney
In a mixer grinder coarsely grind tomatoes, onion, green chili, garlic, coriander leaves. Do not make it a fine paste.
Remove in a bowl and mix in lime juice and salt
Serve it cold or at room temperature as a side for rice pilaf or pulao
Notes
If you need help with any Herb or Spice listed in this recipe then refer to the guide: List of Herbs and Spices