Qidreh

Method

1. 1 Soak the basmati rice and chickpeas for 8 hours in two separate bowls.
2. 2 Simmer the lamb with cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and salt for 70 minutes, then reserve the broth.
3. 3 Arrange the lamb at the bottom of the clay pot, then the chickpeas, whole cloves of garlic, and finally the rice on top.
4. 4 Pour in the hot lamb broth and ghee, then cover the pot tightly with flour or aluminum foil.
5. 5 Cooking the rice in the oven at 200 degrees for 45 minutes without opening the lid will cause the steam to escape, leaving the top layer dry and the bottom layer mushy.
6. 6 Turn the entire pot upside down onto a round tray so the lamb is on top, then sprinkle with roasted almonds.

With an appliance

• Pressure cooker 1 hr 40 min

  Replace step 2: simmer the lamb under high pressure for 30 minutes, then release the pressure naturally; the rice remains cooked in the sealed clay pot.