Kuwait

Liberation Day

Kuwait was first established as a small fishing village during the seventeenth century. In 1899 Kuwait became a British Protectorate. In 1961, Kuwait became independent with the end of the British protectorate and sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah becoming the Emir. On 2 August 1990, following a dispute over revenue from am oil field, Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait and Iraq started bombing Kuwait City. By 8 August 1990, the Kuwaiti government had been replaced by an Iraqi governor. International outrage at the invasion was widespread. Making no progress by diplomatic means, the UN Security
Council gave Iraq a deadline of 15 January 1991 to withdraw from Kuwait. The deadline passed and the U.S. led coalition forces began their assault on the Iraqi forces on 17 January 1991, known as Operation Desert Storm. The Iraqi forces proved unable to resist the coalition forces, the ground war only lasted four days and the Iraqi tanks left Kuwait on 26 February 1991.

Machboos

Serves 6
Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1 onions diced
  • 3 pound cubed lamb
  • 2 teaspoon of minced ginger
  • 2 teaspoon of minced garlic
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • ½ teaspoon clove
  • ¼ teaspoon tumeric
  • 1 lemon cut in half
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Rice

  • 1 1/2 cups rice
  • 1 1/2 cups juice
  • 3 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 7 fresh coriander leave
  • 2 saffron sprigs
  • 1 cup sultans
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons toasted pistachios
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
Method:
In a large Dutch oven or pot add oil and brown lamb set aside then in the same pot saute onions until caramelize, add garlic and ginger cook for 1 minute return meat to pot. Add water and the rest of the spices, and lemon Simmer for 1 hour then drain through sieve or cheese cloth, save the juice. Brown meat again and discard the rest. While meat is cooking make rice according to package, but substitute 1 ½ cups of water for meat juice, also add saffron, lemon juice  and coriander leaves to rice as well. Toast pistachios and pine nuts set aside.
When Rice is done take out leaves, and add sultans, toss. Then arrange on platter, put meat on top of rice then add a little juice. Sprinkle toasted nut on top serve.
Try this:
Gahwah or Leban ( no wine today)          Bel Hana Wel Shefa