Mandi Lamb | The authentic Arabic taste with a luxurious character

Mandi Lamb is one of the most famous and delicious dishes in the Gulf and Yemen, and represents a symbol of hospitality and generosity in occasions and feasts. This dish is characterized by its rich spices and traditional cooking method that relies on natural flavors and calm heat, making the meat tender and juicy and the rice saturated with unique flavors.

In this article, we offer you a traditional Saudi lamb mandi recipe, in addition to the step-by-step method of cooking lamb mandi, so that you can prepare this dish in your home in a perfect way, as if you were in one of the Kingdom’s restaurants specializing in authentic Gulf cuisine.

What is a lamb mandi?

Lamb mandi is a dish made with tender lamb and long-grain rice cooked with signature spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and saffron. The meat is cooked in a special way known as “mandi”, where the meat is hung over the rice in an airtight saucepan, to be steamed while retaining the rich flavor and delicious aroma.

And when talking about a whole lamb mandi, we mean to offer a whole lamb carcass roasted in the mandi style, usually served on large occasions, and is one of the finest and finest types of mandi.

Base Ingredients of the Lamb Mandy Recipe

To make a lamb mandi recipe at home, here are the most important ingredients you will need:

Ingredients for meat:

• 1.5 to 2 kg of lamb (preferably thigh or shoulder meat)
• teaspoon black pepper
• teaspoon turmeric
• teaspoon cumin
• teaspoon dried coriander
• 1 tablespoon mandi spices (ready or homemade)
• Salt to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• juice of one lemon
• 2 tablespoons yogurt

Rice Ingredients:

• 3 cups washed and soaked basmati rice
• Finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• grated tomato
• tablespoon mandi spices
• 4 cardamom
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• carnation, lome, bay leaf
• Saffron soaked in rose water
• Meat broth cube (optional)
• Salt and water as needed

How to cook a lamb mandi?

Now we turn to the method of cooking lamb mandi in detail to make the result perfect:

Step 1: Season the meat

In a large bowl, combine the yogurt with the lemon juice, garlic, and spices.

Wrap the lamb chops well with the marinade, then cover and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours (preferably a whole night).

Step 2: Cook the meat

In a saucepan on the fire, heat a little oil, and add the chopped onion until it wilts.

Add the tomatoes and spices and stir well.

Place the seasoned pieces of meat on top of the mixture, add a glass of water, cover the pot and simmer for an hour to an hour and a half, until the meat is tender.

Step 3: prepare the rice

In another saucepan, heat the oil and add the whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, garlic) and onions until wilted.

Add the garlic, grated tomatoes and ground spices, then add the rice and stir for two minutes.

Add the hot water and broth cube, bring the rice to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover the pot for 20 minutes.

Step 4: Roast and add smoked flavor

Heat a piece of charcoal on the fire until it becomes a carrot.

Place a small piece of foil on top of the rice, put the hot charcoal in it, then add a little oil and immediately close the pot for 10 minutes to imbibe the barbecue flavor.

Lamb Mandy Rice Recipe

If you prefer to serve mandi without meat or using meat later, here is a recipe for mandi rice lamb alone:

Use the same steps to prepare rice as in the method above.

You can add small cubes of pre-cooked meat or serve as a side dish.

For a great golden color, saffron dissolved in rose water can be added just before serving.

Traditional Saudi Lamb Mandi Recipe

What distinguishes the recipe of Saudi lamb mandi is its reliance on the original flavors and the traditional cooking method in the skirt or pit, but it can be simulated in the home oven as follows:

Wrap the seasoned meat in foil and roast in the oven at 180 °C for two hours.

While grilling, prepare the rice as we explained above.

Combine the rice and meat in a wide serving dish, garnish with roasted nuts and raisins.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of authentic Gulf cuisine, the lamb mandi will captivate your senses with the combination of oriental flavors and a delicious aroma. Whether you want to prepare a whole lamb mandi for a special occasion, or try a Saudi lamb mandi recipe at home, these recipes give you a rich experience of authentic Arabic taste.

Don’t forget to try this lamb mandi rice recipe as a quick and hearty option, and share the dish with family and friends to become part of your special moments.