It’s a traditional Saudi dish. A type of our “Lahori” roast chicken but a wee bit more spicy. The traditional way to cook it is underground but realistically that is just not possible for most of us so in this recipe you learn how to do it at home and work with what you have for almost the same amazing flavor. In the Gulf countries mandy is made from either chicken or lamb.

To get the smoky taste>>>

Place chicken in a bowl and put a small piece of foil (enough so that a coal piece can be placed over it easily, without touching the chicken) in the center. Now place a red hot coal onto the foil and drop 1 tsp oil over it. Tightly close the bowl with a lid and let the smoke do it’s thing! 🙂

So, for all the Red Hot green chillies fan out there, this one is a must. But please note, i got this recipe from an authentic source, haven’t tried it myself yet. So do lemme know how it turned out for you. I plan to make it on the weekend insha Allah!

For this particular recipe a Broiler turns out much more tender and crispier. Otherwise any chick would do 😉

All you need>>>

Chicken ——————-1 cut into 4 pieces
Mandy mix spice——-  2 tbsp
Salt———————— 1 tsp

How it’s made>>>

1. Rub salt and the mandy mix spices thoroughly on the chicken.
2. Place the chicken in a frying pan and then cook without any oil or water till it’s cooked from the inside and turns brown from the outside. It takes around 40 minutes to get cooked –  soft and tender.

Mandy Mix Spice:

What you need>>>

Cardamom pods———–2 tablespoons
Cloves———————- 2 tablespoons
Black pepper————– 2 teaspoons
Nutmeg——————— 1 whole
Ginger paste———————- 1 tablespoon
Bay leaves( karee pattay)—————– 4

How it’s made>>>

1. Blend or process spices together until finely crushed.

Side dish:

It is usual served with rice and a Cucumber Raita. For the rice…

What you need>>>

Basmati rice——— 1 1/2 cups
Butter—————– 1 tbsp
Onion—————– 1 small finely chopped
Tomato————— 1 small deseeded and finely chopped
Whole cardamom— 4
Whole cloves——— 4
Black peppercorns– 6
Chicken stock——— 3 cups (or just enough that about an inch is above the rice)
Yellow food color————- 1 tsp

How it’s made>>>

1. Saute onion with butter until tender and brown, add whole spices, salt, rice, water, stir, boil then add chopped tomato, simmer cover, cook on a very low heat for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!
Happy cooking folks!