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Somali Bariis Iskukaris

Yields6 ServingsPrep Time25 minsCook Time1 hr 5 minsTotal Time1 hr 30 mins

One-pot basmati rice with tender chicken and tomatoes.

Somali bariis iskukaris with spiced rice and chicken

Chicken and rice
 900 g bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
 450 g basmati rice
 3 tbsp vegetable oil
 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
 4 cloves garlic, minced
 1 1 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
 30 g tomato paste
 3 ⅛ cups low-sodium chicken stock
 1.50 tsp fine salt
 90 g golden raisins
 20 g fresh cilantro, chopped
Xawaash spices
 2 tsp ground cumin
 2 tsp ground coriander
 1 tsp ground cardamom
 0.50 tsp ground cinnamon
 0.25 tsp ground cloves
 0.50 tsp ground turmeric
 0.50 tsp ground black pepper
To serve
 6 small ripe bananas
Directions
1

Rinse the basmati rice under cool water until the water runs nearly clear, then soak it for 20 minutes and drain well.

2

Stir the cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric and black pepper together to make the xawaash blend.

3

Heat the oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden, then transfer it to a plate.

4

Lower the heat to medium. Cook the onions for 8 to 10 minutes until deep golden, then add the garlic and ginger and stir for 30 seconds.

5

Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and xawaash. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until the tomatoes soften and the spices smell fragrant.

6

Return the chicken to the pot, add the stock and salt, and simmer covered over medium-low heat for 25 minutes until the chicken is nearly tender.

7

Stir in the drained rice and raisins. Cover tightly and cook over low heat for 18 to 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the grains are tender.

8

Remove the pot from the heat and rest it covered for 10 minutes. Fluff gently, scatter with cilantro and serve each portion with a banana.

Notes

Rinse the basmati until the water runs nearly clear so the grains cook separately. A ripe banana served alongside is a characteristic sweet contrast to the spiced rice.

Nutrition Facts

6 servings

Serving size

1 bowl

Amount per serving
Calories670
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g26%

Saturated Fat 4g20%
Trans Fat 0g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 120mg40%
Sodium 720mg32%
Total Carbohydrate 84g31%

Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 40g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.