Authentic Arabic Mandi Recipe: A Taste of Middle Eastern Elegance | Matbhaky Spices
Experience the Magic of Traditional Yemeni Flavors in Your Kitchen
2 min readNov 23, 2023
Ingredients:
- 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 4 cups water
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, grated
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
- Mandi spices: 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp cardamom, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, salt, and pepper
- Saffron (a few strands, soaked in warm water)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Marinate the Chicken: Mix chicken pieces with Mandi spices, salt, and pepper. Leave to marinate for at least an hour or overnight.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook the chicken until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Rice: In the same pot, add the remaining oil, onions, and garlic. Cook until onions are translucent. Add grated carrots, raisins, and Mandi spices; stir.
- Combine Rice and Chicken: Place the chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add saffron water, cover, and simmer for 30–40 minutes, or until rice and chicken are fully cooked.
- Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork and serve with the chicken on top. Traditionally, Mandi is served with yogurt or a simple cucumber salad.
Enjoy your homemade Arabic Mandi with authentic Mandi spices!