Muhammar

About This Recipe

Muhammar is one of Bahrain's most unique dishes: short-grain rice sweetened with date syrup and fragrant with cardamom and rose water, then pan-fried until the bottom forms a crispy, caramelised crust. Traditionally served alongside fried fish, the sweet-savoury pairing is a hallmark of Bahraini coastal cuisine.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 2 cupsshort-grain rice, rinsed
• 3 tbspdate syrup (dibs)
• 1 tspground cardamom
• 1 tbsprose water
• 3 tbspghee

Instructions

1. 1

   Parboil rice

   Boil rice in salted water for 8 minutes until almost tender. Drain well.

2. 2

   Mix sweet layer

   Combine date syrup, cardamom, rose water, and 2 tbsp ghee in a bowl. Add drained rice and toss to coat evenly.

3. 3

   Steam

   Return to a pot greased with remaining ghee. Spread rice in an even layer, cover with a lid wrapped in a cloth, and steam on very low heat for 30 minutes.

4. 4

   Serve

   Invert onto a platter to reveal the caramelised bottom crust (tahdig). Serve alongside fried hammour or any white fish.

Variations

• •

  Add saffron to the date mixture for extra colour and aroma.

• •

  Serve with grilled prawns instead of fish.

Storage

Keeps refrigerated 2 days. Reheat in a covered pan with a splash of water.

Frequently Asked Questions