Timman Zaffaran Iraqi Saffron Rice With Meat Recipes

OUR IRAQI "TIMMAN" -- RICE

Steps:

• 1. dump oil into pot, heat on medium high.
• 2. add dry rice, salt. saute about a minute or so. do not stir it after this point.
• 3. add the water, and turmeric. as i said, no exact amount. fill the pot and cover the rice about 1/2" with the water.
• 4. allow to come to a rapid boil, and then reduce the heat to medium/low (or about a 3).
• 5. cover the pot, and do not open for at least 30 minutes.
• to serve, dump the pot upside down on a serving platter. the "hikaka" will be on the top of your rice. it's just crispy "over cooked" rice, but it's unbelieveably delicious :).

IRAQI RICE (TIMMAN)

Steps:

• Wash rice well in a sieve and drain.
• Heat olive oil or butter in a large based pot, add rice and stir over high heat for two minutes.
• Add stock and bring to high simmer stirring once at first to separate the grains from the bottom of the pot.
• Reduce heat to medium low and cover pot tightly for 15 minutes.
• Open pot and fluff rice with a fork.
• Place paper towels around rim and cover tightly again. (This makes for a fluffier grain).
• Reduce heat to low and leave for 25 minutes then remove paper towels and you can leave longer on low. (I actually preheat my oven to 350F instead of leaving mine on low and then I leave the rice pot on the burner that heat escapes from the oven until we are ready to eat. *Of course this only works if your stove is on top of your oven. I find a good quality grain lasts hours this way and is warm and ready to eat when you are).
• Meanwhile in a small dry pan toast pine nuts over medium high heat until golden. Watch carefully as they tend to burn quickly.
• Sprinkle over rice and fluff with a fork to incorporate.
• Enjoy with any meat stew, bamia (okra) dish or chicken.

IRAQI STYLE QEEMA (TIMMAN OU QEEMA)

Steps:

• brown ground beef, make pieces small as possible.
• add onions and salt to beef, brown a little more.
• cover with water, add chickpeas and cinnamon.
• allow to boil for at least 5 minutes, use a potato masher to smoosh the chickpeas.
• add tomato sauce, cover, let simmer at least 1 hour.
• serve over rice, with your choice of bread.