My Kitchen My World - Saudi Arabia

I know that the last time I did a dish for My Kitchen My World I did chicken and rice, but I couldn't resist doing it again this month. It's interesting how so many different countries can do a similar dish, but do it so differently!

Saudi Arabian chicken and rice, called Kabsa, was different from other versions of chicken and rice I've done, thanks to the exotic blend of spices, and the delicious topping of fried nuts and raisins. The whole family very much enjoyed this culinary trip to Saudi Arabia.

Kabsa (Saudi Chicken and Rice)
(adapted from Saji's)
2 chicken breasts
6 cups water
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 bay leaves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp butter, divided
1 1/2 cup chopped ripe tomato
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups long grain rice
salt to taste
1 tsp ground cardamom (at $10 a bottle, this is too expensive for me - I substituted an additional 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp allspice, and 1/2 tsp ginger)
1 tsp ground coriander
10 cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 cup raisins soaked in 1/3 cup water
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup pistachios
1/2 cup pine nuts

In a large pot place chicken, water, onion, bay leaves, cinnamon, and 1 tsp salt and let cook covered on low heat for about 1 1/2 hour.

In another large pot add olive oil and 1 tbsp butter, then add chopped onions and chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes on medium heat. Next add rice and seasonings. Mix and then add 4 cups of chicken broth from the cooked chicken. Stir and then add 3 tbsp butter. Let come to a boil and then turn down to low heat, cover and let cook for 45 minutes.

In a small pan, add 2 tbsp butter and stir in nuts and raisins, let cook until all are evenly brown, set aside for garnish. In the mean time, pull apart cooked chicken and remove any bones.

After 45 minutes, fluff rice with a fork and let sit another 10 minutes.

Pour out the rice into a large serving dish, place pieces of chicken on top and then put the nut and raisin mixture on top of that. Serve.

Linking to:
My Kitchen My World
Think Tank Thursday (Joyful Homemaking)