Kabsa: A Sneak-Peek Into This Delicious Arabian Food and What Makes It Flavorful and Special

Kabsa or Arabian Kabsa is a popular and well-known flavourful dish that is more than a meal for Arabs. This culinary delight is from Saudi Arabia, but it is a Middle Eastern rice dish passed down for centuries. Kabsa dish is a national dish of Saudi Arabia.

It symbolizes tradition, hospitality, and cultural identity for Arabs. This culinary creation has echoes from the Indian sub-continent, the bold tastes of Africa, and the aromatic presence of Persia, and is woven into Saudi Arabia’s cuisine story.

Moreover, a few countries in the Gulf Peninsula, like Iran and Gaza, also cook the Arabic Kabsa on special occasions.

Origin and Importance of Kabsa Dish

Kabsa rice recipe, when prepared, is served on the communal platter for family and friends that originated from Yemen. These are traditionally large platters served at the center of the table. It is customary to eat Arabian food Kabsa using the right hand while the people are seated around the platter on the floor. It is said to foster closeness and

The traditional Kabsa recipe is different from other recipes mainly prepared in Iran, India, and Israel.

Historically speaking, the Kabsa Arabian dish was originally prepared by Bedouin tribes. They used to roam the Arabic Peninsula and relied on simple ingredients to cook their food. It was rice, chicken, lamb, and aromatic spices.

A few regions in Saudi Arabia may have many versions of the Kabsa rice dish, but the major ingredients remain the same. Kabsa means to squeeze or press, the technique where all the ingredients are squeezed into one pot.

The importance of meat and spices in Arab Kabsa is due to the country’s livestock supply and the rich source of aromatic herbs and spices. Another reason for the broader impact of Arabic food Kabsa is the types of spices used.

The Arabic households mainly use black pepper, cardamom, cloves, saffron, black lime, cinnamon, nutmeg, and bay leaves. Meats that people usually use include goat, lamb, chicken, beef, camel, shrimp, and fish. The taste of this dish is augmented using pine nuts, almonds, onions, sultanas, and peanuts. It becomes savory when served with homemade Arabic tomato sauce Daqqus.

Is Kabsa Arabic Dish Healthy?

The chicken Kabsa rice dish or meat rice dish Kabsa is prepared using the meat ingredients, basmati rice, and spices.

Long-grain rice or Basmati Rice is the primary carbohydrate source that provides energy. Meat products like chicken, lamb, goat, etc., are a source of protein and help with muscle growth and repair. The variety of spices used in Kabsa Saudi food imparts flavor and offers various health-promoting compounds and antioxidants.

Vegetables like carrots and tomatoes add minerals, vitamins, and fibers. The nuts like almonds, pine nuts, and peanuts are a primary source of Vitamin E, healthy fats, and essential nutrients.

However, people mindful of calorie intake must work on portion control. This rice recipe is rich in nature, so you must take care of your overall health.

Why is Kabsa Rice Recipe a Symbol of Cultural Significance?

·   The Arabic Kabsa rice is served at gatherings and special occasions. It reflects the hospitality and welcoming nature. The Kabsa dish is found in weddings, large family gatherings, and Eid celebrations.

·   The Kabsa dish recipe is passed down through generations, but every family makes it unique according to its culinary heritage.

·   It is a communal eating dish served on a large platter, reinforcing togetherness and establishing social bonds among friends and family members.

·   The rich and satisfying flavors add to the aroma of the dish. It is a time-honored dish serving diverse Saudi regions and their traditions.

·   Kabsa is the national dish that serves as the country’s culinary pride. It is part of their national identity, so people eat the Kabsa dish for Suhoor during Ramadan. The traditional Kabsa is prepared in a pot, but most households prepare it in a pressure cooker.

We know about the Kabsa dish, but you must know the ingredients and cooking directions. So, let’s check that out below.

Details on Ingredients of Kabsa Arabic Dish and Directions for Cooking

You can prepare a chicken Kabsa or a mutton Kabsa recipe; the choice is yours. However, authentic Kabsa is prepared using lamb or goat meat, and chicken is a secondary choice.

Let’s check out its ingredients and its cooking directions.

1.   Ingredients for Rice and Meat 

·   1.5 cups long-grain basmati rice, thoroughly washed

·   4 tablespoons of Grapeseed oil, Canola Oil, or Olive Oil

·   1 small yellow diced onion

·   1 diced plum tomato

·   1 tablespoon Kabsa spice mix (you can purchase it from the market or check its ingredients below)

·   1 pound bone-in lamb cut into small pieces (you can use variations like chicken, goat, camel, fish, beef, or shrimp)

·   5 cardamom pods

·   5 cloves or 1/8 teaspoon of clove powder

·   2 cinnamon sticks or ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder

·   2 ¼ cups of water (enough to cover basmati rice)

·   2 to 3 whole dried limes

·   ½ teaspoon saffron threads (for colour)

·   1 teaspoon sea salt

2.   Ingredients for Kabsa Spice Mix 

·   1 teaspoon cumin powder

·   1 teaspoon turmeric powder

·   ¼ teaspoon pepper flakes

·   ½ teaspoon coriander powder

·   ½ teaspoon fennel powder

·   1 teaspoon ground ginger

·   ½ teaspoon of all other spices 

Directions: Mix them all in a container and use only one tablespoon in the preparation. You can save the rest for future Kabsa dishes.

3.   Cooking Directions for Kabsa 

·   Heat the oil of your choice in a large Dutch oven or ground pot. Add tomatoes and sauté alongside meat pieces until brown.

·   Add the Kabsa spice mix, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Add saffron threads, water, salt, and dried limes. First, bring it to a boil. Then, lower the flame to bring it to a rolling boil. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.

·   Clean the basmati rice thoroughly and soak them. After that, add them to the cooking pot.

·   Bring all the contents in the pot to boil, and then lower the flame to reduce the heat. Cover the lid tightly, and do not open it for another 20 minutes.

·   After 20 minutes, open the pot lid and stir gently to check if the rice is cooked well. When everything is done, turn off the heat. Uncover the pot after 10 minutes to check if the dish has settled.

·   Take a big serving platter, and add chopped herbs, chili pepper, onion, and lamb shanks over rice.

·   Garnish the Kabsa dish with toasted raisins, nuts, cilantro, almonds, and pistachio. 

Note: You can serve the chicken Kabsa rice or lamb Kabsa rice with fresh yogurt, salad, or homemade tomato sauce. 

It is all about the Kabsa dish preparation. However, good quality long-grain basmati rice is the heart and soul of this dish. Households mainly pick the unique and rare T20ZZZ Long-grain basmati rice for this recipe. It adds soul to this national dish.

T20ZZZ: Rare and Good Quality Basmati Rice for Arabic Dish Kabsa

Kabsa dish is a national heritage that represents the Arabian Peninsula’s culinary tradition, especially in Saudi Arabia. The Arabs use the finest spices, meat, and great quality basmati rice to impart the dish its flavor and enhancement.

All this is possible because of the long-grain basmati rice. T20ZZZ, The rice is known for its rare quality and the 8.40mm+ length when it is uncooked. Its extraordinary length expands up to 3 times when it is cooked in the pot.

T20ZZZ remains fine, long, and slender without getting mushy when stirred slowly. It elevates the taste of this Saudi iconic dish. The ability of T20ZZZ Long-Grain Basmati Rice to retain its shape after cooking makes it a first choice in the Arabian Peninsula. It makes Kabsa dish sumptuous and lip-smacking.