Smoky BBQ chicken mandi with chopped tomato salad
Arabic 30 Mins Prep · 80 Mins Cook
- Steep 2-3 pinches of saffron in 4 tbsp of hot water overnight, or for at least 2 hours.
- Soak the rice in water for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the hawaij spice mix by placing the fine cumin, turmeric, white pepper, fine coriander, ground cloves (or allspice) and ground cardamon in a bowl and mixing it thoroughly. Store in an airtight jar.
- To make the marinade, combine the 2 tbsp of oil, lemon zest and juice of one lemon, 2 tbsp of the hawaij spice and ½ tsp of salt. Rub the mix all over the chicken and refrigerate overnight or at least for an hour.
- To make the rice, add the remaining 2 tbsp of oil to a large saucepan and sauté the onion until translucent. Drain the rice and add it to the onion along with the cloves, cardamom pods, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, raisins, 2-3 chillies, 750ml of water and 1 tsp of salt to taste. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. Turn off the heat and allow to stand.
- Remove the chicken from the fridge and bring to room temperature.
- Prepare a barbecue. When the coals are medium hot, place the chicken, skin-side down on the grid and cook for 35-40 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover with foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
- In the meantime prepare the chopped zhoug salad. Roughly chop the tomatoes and grate the garlic. Deseed and finely slice 1-2 chillies. Toast the cumin seeds. Juice half a lemon. Finely chop the fresh coriander, mint and parsley together. Combine all the salad ingredients and season well.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and pile onto a platter.
- Place the grilled chicken on top, pouring any juices over the rice.
- Toast the almonds and scatter over the chicken.
- Serve with the chopped zhoug salad and yoghurt on the side.
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