Mandi is a traditional Yemeni dish, featuring slow-cooked meat and flavorful rice. It's known for its unique taste and aroma, often prepared with a blend of spices.
Here's a simplified recipe for Mandi, suitable for four people.
Ingredients:
Rice: 4 cups
Goose meat (or lamb/chicken): 500g
Onions: 2
Garlic: 1 head
Cinnamon stick: 1
Cardamom: 5
Oil: 1/4 cup
Indian almonds: 100g
Saffron rice: 50g
Salt, turmeric, and pepper: to taste
Star anise: 1
Mace: 5
Dried saffron: to taste
Preparation:
1. Preparing the meat: Cut the meat into small pieces. Heat oil in a pan and brown the meat for about 10 minutes until the color changes.
2. Adding spices and vegetables: Add pepper, turmeric, mace, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon, and bay leaves to the meat.
3. Cooking the meat: Add two liters of water to the pan. Cover and simmer the meat for two hours until tender.
4. Preparing the rice: Mix the rice with some oil. After the meat is cooked, remove the meat from the pan and add the rice to the broth.
5. Layering and steaming: Place the cooked meat on top of the rice.
6. Finishing and serving: Add the saffron and oil to the rice. Cover the pot and let the rice simmer for 45 minutes. Serve the delicious Mandi.
Important notes:
For the best Mandi, use goose meat, or lamb, and use the parts of the lamb or chicken.
For the saffron, use saffron powder and add it to the rice for a better color.
The onion is better if it is yellow.