Flavorful rice and meat dish, and as Sasha says try not to pass out from the wonderful aromas filling your home while cooking this amazing 5cs spices dish.
MENA cooking club challenge this month is to cook from Djibouti, and to your – and my- surprise I was the host of this month’s challenge! :). I have little to NO experience at all in Djibouti cuisine but after some research I came up with a couple of recipes and this was one of them from Sasha’s beautiful blog.
It was very hard to know how this dish is pronounced and finally I’ve found an Arabic forum that has a post about this dish, and oh my, the pronunciation in Arabic did not sound inviting to eat at all :).
Hubby was so pleased with the flavors, to tell you the truth I thought it would be more like the Saudi Kabsa, but it turned out totally different thanks to the – what I call – 5Cs spices in this aromatic dish, Cumin, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves and Cayenne. Can you smell these beautiful aromas all in one pot?
After hubby filled his tummy and showed appreciation, I told him the name, he was like WHAT?!! his reaction was hilarious :). Do not let this hold you back from trying this authentic dish, it is very easy to make and a one meal dish. I’ve served this with yogurt dip .
I’ve cheated in this recipe a little and made it with beef instead of lamb as we cannot tolerate lamb in our home. Next time I would make this recipe with chicken breast I bet it is going to rock the audience.
Here is a short video on how to make this aromatic rice dish. Enjoy the rest of the week.
Make sure to check out other members of the club as well . Thank you
- 1 lb lamb, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1-2 Tbsp oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 1/4 tsp cayenne (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup water, plus extra as needed
- 1/2 cup long-grain rice
- salt & pepper
- In a large pot or skillet, heat the oil, onions and the 5 C spices.
- When the onions are soft, add the meat and stir to brown the meat well.
- Next add the tomatoes and water, cover and let the meat cook until completely done. Check it with a fork.
- Add the rice, salt and pepper and enough water for your rice to cook.
- Cover and let it cook until rice is done.
- Serve warm with your choice of salad. I served it with yogurt dip.
As-Salaamu Alaykum Amira, what a tasty meat and rice dish it looks to be, i’m kind of regretting not making it now 🙂 look forward to you hosting again next month! Baarak Allahu Feeki
Wa Alaykom Assalam dear sister,
It is exceptionally good! the flavors are really great. Try your hands in this recipe next time you have lamb.
Great choice you made, love the 5Cs will have to try it out. Fun and unusual country to explore.
Yes it is for most of the members it was the first time they even hear about this country. I’m honored that I was the host. Thanks Evelyne
Love that it is a one dish meal, I too would substitute beef for the lamb as I am not fond of lamb.
Oh, your beef looks mighty tender! So wonderful with the rice…I think even my picky husband would love it!
G’day Thank you so much for hosting the Djibouti Cuisine challenge! I love learning all things new when it comes to food Amira!
Without you, I may have never made Banana Fritters and love your 5 C’s too!
Cheers! Joanne
MashaAllah. Your dish come out stunning. Thanks for hosting us this month. 🙂
Rice, lamb, and spices all together is equal to a heavenly meal!!!
WOW! This dish looks very delicious. Wish I can taste some 🙂
Looks wonderfully spiced and delicious!
Now I’m curious, what does the name/pronunciation mean? 😉
Isku deh karis – means literally cook it all together
Love all of the warming spices and cooking everything in one pot. A great fall dish. Take care, BAM
This dish looks great! It definitely requires a great amount of time to cook this wonderful dish I guess…
What a great and flavourful rice dish! Rice and lamb are great combo!
When I read “spices”, I felt like it was something I ought to try Amira. I can even smell it from here.
I’ll definitely do it with chicken or beef, I do avoid lamb if I can!
Thank you and have a lovely weeek dear.
Hi Marie, how are you dear?
The spices in this dish are, oh so goooood, I highly recommend it.
This recipe looks like it has lots of flavour. Here in Oz we all grew up on lamb so we are very used to it. It’s great that this recipe is versatile and can be adapted to a range of meats xx
I think this sounds delicious and love the 5C spices. I think I’d use beef too, what cut of meat did you use?
Nice dish Amira, it is sure packed of flavor…although I do not buy lamb often, I sure can see my self using beef.
Hope you are having a great week 😀
I am loving this one pot meal…so aromatic and scrumptious.