About the dish
Kabsa is rice and meat cooked together in one pot, so the rice absorbs the broth and the aroma of the spices. The meat – usually chicken or lamb – is simmered with onion, tomatoes, garlic, dried lime and a spice mix of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and cumin, then basmati rice goes in. It is turned out onto a large platter, rice underneath and meat on top, and scattered with raisins, almonds and fried onion. Kabsa is eaten together, often by hand, with salad and a spicy tomato sauce. Along the Persian Gulf coast a very similar dish is called machboos and is often made with fish or prawns as well.
Main ingredients
- basmati rice
- chicken or lamb
- tomatoes
- onion
- dried lime
- warm spices
- raisins and almonds
Bahrain: In Bahrain machboos is the national dish, made with chicken, lamb or fish.
Kuwait: In Kuwait as machboos (مچبوس), with chicken, lamb or fish, often with daqqus tomato sauce.
Qatar: In Qatar as machboos, with lamb, chicken or prawns.
Saudi Arabia: Regarded as Saudi Arabia's national dish, served on huge platters with chicken, lamb or camel.
United Arab Emirates: In the Emirates as machboos or majboos, often with lamb or chicken and dried limes.
More: Wikipedia (en)
