Muhammar

Sweet date rice served with fried fish.

Ingredients

• 3 cups Basmati rice
• ¾ cup Date syrup
• 3 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Cardamom
• 1 pinch Saffron
• 1 tbsp Rose water
• 5 tbsp Ghee
• 1 tsp Salt
• 5 cups Water

Method

1. Parboil the rice — Boil the soaked rice in salted water for 7 minutes, then drain while still firm.
2. Make the syrup — Warm the date syrup with sugar, cardamom, saffron and rose water.
3. Layer — Return the rice to the pot in layers, spooning date syrup and ghee between each.
4. Steam — Cover tightly and cook on the lowest heat 30 minutes.
5. Muhammar is ready — Fold gently and serve with fried fish.

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