Iraqi Pink Rice Plow Ahmar Recipes

IRAQI PINK RICE PLOW AHMAR

Steps:

• Heat olive oil.
• Add onion; fry until translucent.
• Add washed rice; stir 2 minutes.
• Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, celery, salt, dillweed, pepper and garlic powder.
• Add 3 1/2 cups water.
• After it comes to a boil. turn heat to simmer.
• Cover and cook until rice is tender; do not open lid for 30 minutes.

LIS'AN EL QA'THI - JUDGES' TONGUE (IRAQI STUFFED EGGPLANT)

Steps:

• peel the eggplant, trim off the top and bottom.
• stand eggplant up, and cut LENGTHWISE into 1/8'' thin strips.
• sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cumin.
• heat a very thin layer of oil on a skillet and fry the eggplant slices in batches, turning once to brown on both sides - do NOT overcook (they will cook to perfection at a later stage) - remember to add a fresh (thin) layer of oil for every batch of eggplant fried - let the eggplant slices try on paper towel.
• in a bowl: mix together the ground meats, the medium onion and garlic (both finely minced), spices to taste (don't overkill), and beaten egg.
• form the ground meat mixture into cylinders (sausage like rods) 1'' thick and 2'' long.
• place a portion of the meat stuffing at one enf othe eggplant slice, and WRAP the eggplant around it - place the rolls in a baking dish.
• Slice up one tomato, and layer on top of eggplant/meat rolls.
• In a saucepan, heat 2 tbsp of oil and saute 1 large diced onion. When soft, add in 1 tomatoe (chopped), salt, pepper, tumeric/curry powder, and any other spices. Stir around until fragrant.
• Add tomato paste, beef/chicken stock, and lemon juice - this is your sauce - bring to boil, then cover and let simmer/thicken for 15 minutes.
• Once the sauce is thickened to your liking, pour it INTO the baking dish (it should cover all the rolls and reach near the top of the dish - this is good (more gravy/sauce for the rice, and ensures a nice even cooking of the meat).
• cover with lid (or aluminum foil), and BAKE at 450 degrees for 1 hour (or until done; one hour is certainly enough).
• take out and ENJOY an exotic taste that I am sure you will love; be proud of yourself, you made an authentic and wonderful Iraqi dish.

TURSHI KHIYAR (IRAQI PICKLES)

Steps:

• Put the cucumbers in a mason jar or jars.
• In a pot, bring the vinegar, salt, garlic, and spices to a boil.
• Remove from the heat and pour over the cucumbers to the top of the jar(s). Seal the jar.
• Pickles will be ready within a week. Just watch for the color change.

IRAQI PINK RICE

Steps:

• Wash rice 3 times. We are not making sticky rice here.
• Saute onion in olive oil or veggie oil ,on medium heat for about 5 minutes until lightly browned.
• Add rice until all grains are cooked.
• Add water with tomato paste and salt and pepper mixed inches.
• Turn flame up to high.
• When mixture comes to a boil, cover with a tight fitting lid.
• Reduce to a simmer; allow to cook 20 minutes; turn off heat.