OTK What's for Dinner? Machboos Rubyan (AKA spiced rice with prawns) | Ottolenghi Test Kitchen

shrimp

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: fish

Chicken is a leaner option, while fish can be more affordable.

saffron

🥗Healthier: turmeric

💰Cheaper: annatto

Turmeric provides color and flavor at a lower cost.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil offers health benefits, while canola is budget-friendly.

Remove shells and heads from prawns.

Add prawn shells, halved garlic, onion wedges, chicken stock, a cinnamon stick, and salt to a pot.

Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 minutes to make prawn stock.

Marinate prawns with turmeric, garlic, olive oil, and garam masala, then set aside.

Strain prawn stock into a bowl, pressing down on solids to extract flavor, and measure out 650 milliliters.

Add oil to a pot, heat, and add chopped onion and green pepper, cooking down for 6-7 minutes.

Add whole spices: a cinnamon stick, whole chili, cardamom pods, and a black lime to the pot.

Grate tomatoes using a box grater and add to the pot along with chili, garlic, ginger, and spices (ground coriander, ground cumin, turmeric, and clove).

Add a splash of prawn stock to the mixture and let it cook down until thick.

Add soaked basmati rice to the pot and stir to coat with flavors.

Pour in the measured shrimp stock and season with salt.

Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to the lowest setting, cooking for 15 minutes.

Make brown onions in oil and butter for topping while rice cooks.

After rice is done, let it steam for 15 minutes before adding butter and tossing through.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens