Kuwaiti Curried Chicken (quwarmah Ala Dajaj)

Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• 3 lbs chicken, skinned and jointed (i use chicken breasts a lot instead just cut each in half and cook for less time)
• salt
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baharat mixed spice (may use baharat aka middle east mixed spices - the real mix)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 cup olive oil (or ghee)
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 stick cinnamon bark
• 1 cup tomato sauce (i use canned pureed tomatoes)
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 dried limes (loomi, or 1 1/2 tsp ground loomi but i find whole is better, don't leave this out please)
• 1 cup frozen okra (bamia, fried in a little oil) (optional)

Recipe

• 1 rinse and wipe chicken pieces dry and sprinkle with salt.
• 2 combine baharat and turmeric and rub half chicken pieces. leave for 15 minutes.
• 3 heat olive oil and brown chicken pieces on each side. remove to plate.
• 4 add onion and fry gently until transparent.
• 5 add garlic, ginger, remaining spice mixture, and cinnamon bark to the onion and fry for 5 minutes stirring often.
• 6 add tomato sauce, water, salt to taste, and loomi pierced twice with a skewer or loomi powder. bring to a high simmer.
• 7 add chicken pieces and okra if using, reduce heat to low and simmer very gently for 1 1/2 hours until chicken is tender and sauce is thick.
• 8 serve hot with baharat aka middle east mixed spices - the real mix or other basmati rice dish and salad.
• 9 enjoy!