Around the World in Foodventures (Qatar: MACHBOOS)

Next on the list of countries picked by my friends is Qatar, a tiny little peninsula in the Middle East that apparently has the highest per capita income in the world!  Its national dish is one they share with Bahrain and Kuwait -- so I suppose when I get to those places I will be choosing different things to try, which is A-okay with me (and also the whole point of this project - 👍).  Machboos a basic rice and meat dish, as I am sure many foods I encounter on this journey will be (or stews, right?) -- but that doesn't mean it's not delicious or that it doesn't have its own unique flavor profile.

Being similar in method and ingredients to most any pot of rice and meat, machboos is pretty simple to cook -- though I did get to make a spice mixture that I'd never heard of ("baharat") and learned about a whole new ingredient (dried limes, one of which is pictured here) in the process.  I don't think it makes for the best photograph, but I do like the way the light reflects off the plate creating that cool glow effect. 😃

Here is the recipe I used: https://www.willflyforfood.net/2017/11/16/qatar-machboos-a-delight-that-will-make-you-crave-for-more/ -- the only change to which was that I used boneless chicken thighs instead of whole chicken pieces.  I don't think this affects the taste (which is what really matters here -- and I should also note that the rosewater brings a nice finishing touch), plus it's just easier to serve and eat this way, especially for the potluck I will be bringing it to tonight.

This post is part of my project: "Around the World in Foodventures" (I decided I want to expand my culinary horizons even further by making the national dish or a popular recipe, or some signature food or traditional meal from every country in the world. Maybe it'll happen alphabetically, or by region, in random order, or something else. I figure if we can't (yet?) travel everywhere, we at least have the luxury of being able to taste it. It’ll be fun and interesting, but obviously, will take a long time to get through -- as I'll only be doing it once a week or so at most. I am chronicling the journey here.)

“If I’m an advocate of anything, it’s to move…Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food.” --Tony Bourdain