Bukhari Rice (Saudi Spiced Rice with Lamb, Carrots and Raisins)
Local name: رز بخاري
In short: Lamb simmered with deeply browned onions, tomato and whole spices, then cooked with rice, carrots and chickpeas and topped with sweet raisins. It takes about 3 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 2 h 30 min
- Total
- 3 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 700 kcal
Bukhari rice is a favorite on Saudi lunch tables, easy to spot by its brown color and sweet-savory flavor. The color comes from onions cooked until deep brown and a spoonful of tomato paste, and the carrots and raisins add sweetness against the warm spices. Lamb is the usual meat, simmered until tender, and the rice cooks in the strained broth. It is served on a large platter for sharing.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot and brown the lamb in batches for 4 minutes each. Move it to a plate.
- Cook the onions in the same pot over medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, until deep brown. Add the garlic, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and bay leaves and stir for 1 minute.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Return the lamb to the pot with the dried limes, cumin, pepper, salt and water.
- Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes, until the lamb is tender. Lift out the lamb, strain the broth, skim the fat and measure 750 ml (3 cups), topping up with water if needed.
- Return the broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the drained rice, carrots and chickpeas, and stir once.
- Boil uncovered until the liquid reaches the level of the rice, about 7 minutes. Scatter the raisins on top, cover tightly and cook on the lowest heat for 15 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Pile the rice on a platter, set the lamb on top and serve with a tomato and cucumber salad.
Tips
- Patient onions are everything. Cook them until they are the color of milk chocolate, but stir often so they do not burn and turn bitter.
- Chicken can replace the lamb and cooks in 30 minutes. Sweet-tooth cooks add a pinch of sugar when browning the onions.
Questions and answers
How is Bukhari rice different from kabsa?
Bukhari rice is browner and sweeter, with caramelized onion, carrot and raisins, while kabsa is more tomato-based and spicier.
Can I make Bukhari rice ahead?
Yes. Cook the lamb and broth a day ahead and cook the rice fresh. Leftovers keep for 3 days in the fridge.
Can I use basmati only?
Basmati is the usual choice, but any long-grain rice works if you reduce the broth by about 50 ml.
How long does it take to make Bukhari Rice (Saudi Spiced Rice with Lamb, Carrots and Raisins)?
About 3 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 2 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bukhari Rice (Saudi Spiced Rice with Lamb, Carrots and Raisins)?
About 700 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 83 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 700 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 83 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
