How to Make Traditional Bahraini Machboos at Home

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 1.5 to 2 hrs

 Serves: 4 to 6 Persons

Ingredients

For the Meat:

• 1 kg lamb or chicken
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch ginger, minced
• 2 dried black limes (loomi), pierced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cardamom pods
• 3 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 large tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
• Water to cover the meat

For the Rice:

• 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes
• 1 small onion, finely sliced
• 1 teaspoon spice mix (Gulf spice blend)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Reserved meat broth
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee

Optional Garnishes:

• Fried onions
• Toasted almonds or pine nuts
• Raisins soaked in water
• Chopped fresh coriander
  

Instructions

Prepare the Meat and Broth

In a large heavy pot, heat oil or ghee.

Add chopped onions, sauté until translucent.

Add garlic and ginger, sauté until fragrant (about 1–2 minutes).

Add meat pieces and brown on all sides.

Add turmeric, cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, bay leaf, and pierced loomi.

Stir well, then add tomato paste and chopped tomatoes.

Cook for about 5–7 minutes until tomatoes break down and mixture thickens.

Pour in enough water to cover the meat completely.

Season with salt.

Bring to a boil, skim foam, then reduce heat and simmer.

Once meat is tender, remove it and set aside.

Strain the broth and reserve it for cooking the rice.

Cook the Rice

In another pot, heat oil/ghee.

Add sliced onions and sauté until golden.

Add turmeric ; stir briefly.

Drain and add the soaked rice.

Stir gently for 2 minutes.

Add about 3.5 to 4 cups of the reserved meat broth and pierced loomi.

Season with salt if needed.

Bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the rice is fluffy and the liquid is absorbed.

Steam with Meat

Place cooked meat pieces on top of the rice.

Cover tightly and steam on very low heat for 10–15 minutes to let flavors blend.

Garnish and Serve

Fluff rice gently.

Garnish with fried onions, raisins, nuts, and fresh coriander if desired.

Serve with Bahraini daqoos (spicy tomato garlic sauce) and salad.