Kuwaiti Curried Chicken (Quwarmah Ala Dajaj)

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)

Directions

1. 1

   Rinse and wipe chicken pieces dry and sprinkle with salt.

2. 2

   Combine baharat and turmeric and rub half onto chicken pieces. Leave for 15 minutes.

3. 3

   Heat olive oil and brown chicken pieces on each side. Remove to plate.

4. 4

   Add onion and fry gently until transparent.

5. 5

   Add garlic, ginger, remaining spice mixture, and cinnamon bark to the onion and fry for 5 minutes stirring often.

6. 6

   Add tomato sauce, water, salt to taste, and loomi pierced twice with a skewer or loomi powder. Bring to a high simmer.

7. 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. 8

   Serve hot with Recipe #79179 or other basmati rice dish and salad.

9. 9

   Enjoy!