Chicken Mandy (Arabic Dish)

POINT TO PONDER

Ever since that day, neither me nor that person has made an effort to speak to one another. However, that person did ask my eldest when I would seek for that person's forgiveness.

Am I to do that? Was it my fault? I shall name this person Dee. As far as I could remember, if my memory does not falter, Dee came over for lunch and I served her Mandy Rice. Even though it was something from a box, it was not an instant meal. I spent nearly two hours in the kitchen getting things ready.

Did Dee appreciate my effort? I would say a big no. Though it sounded polite but how could you request to complain. YOU NEVER COMPLAIN WHEN SOMEONE HAD COOKED FOR YOU. Instead, if you have had the experience of cooking the same dish, you should suggest how to improve. It was also my mistake for giving you the permission to complain. Actually, if Dee was a sensitive person, Dee would know that I was being polite too.

After the meal, thinking that Dee was a rationale person, I asked if Dee could help me out. The outcome of my request was something that I was so surprised. Out of the blue, Dee said that Dee, in reality, did not want to come over because of the hatred that Dee had for my children. I was obviously shocked. Dee said my children did something dreadful to Dee. Hearing that, I thought that Dee had an argument with my children while I was in the kitchen and I was so curious to know what.

With high tone, Dee began Dee's story with 'in 2012'. In 2012? You got to be kidding me. This is 2014. Dee said that she did not want to tell me but, now, she had to.

I am very sorry Dee. If you had the intention of ensuring the well-being of children, you would have told me the story in 2012. You would not wait until 2014. To me, it was just your way of saying that you did not want to help me.

Dee, news flash, you are definitely an irrational person and, let me tell you this, I cannot stand you. You like to treat people as if they are rubbish. You want people to put you on a pedestal but you do not know how to respect others. Worst still, when you called my children bad, you have successfully made the whole family dislike you. Congratulations!!!!!!

Outside my house, you shouted that you had done a lot for me. Perhaps you did and I did not realise it because, all these while, I could only remember that you refuse to go extra miles for me. When I was sick after giving birth, it was obvious that you were not enjoying helping me. A few times, you snorted. At one time, you even chased me back to my house. You also get a kick to humiliate me in front my children and friends.

Would I seek your forgiveness? I will not do such a thing. It was definitely not my fault. It was yours and your terrible behaviour. I am not sure who has pampered you but you are really spoilt. If you are a child, I would spank you. You need to wake up.

THE INGREDIENTS

Basmathi rice  (it is about 2 1/2 cup)
Special Mandy Grounded Spice
One whole CHICKEN
5 shallots
One large onions
10 garlics
2 green chillies
Tomato puree
Salt

METHOD 1 - preparing for the chicken

1. Cut the chicken into small pieces.
2. Marinate the chicken with 1 1/2 Special Mandy Grounded Spice, 5 blended garlics, 2 tsp salt,
    2 tbsp. oil and 2 tbsp. tomato puree.
3. Leave it for awhile.
4. Preheat the oven to 180 celcius.
5. Arrange the chicken on the rack in which you place the rack on the oven tray. The oven tray
    should  e lined with aluminium foil. This will be helpful later when you wish to collect the oil.
6. Put the chicken into the oven for ONE HOUR.
7. After 30 minutes, collect the chicken oil and turn the chicken.
8. At the end of the ONE hour, take out the chicken.

METHOD 2 - cooking the rice

1. Soak the Basmathi rice for 20 minutes.
2. Get 600ml water ready.
3. Blend 5 garlics, 5 shallots and one large onion. (use a little bit of the 600ml water to blend the
    ingredients)
4. Heat up the rice cooker.
5. Put in a bit of cooking oil.
6. Once it is heated, put in 5cm cinnamon stick, 5 pelaga, 3 cengkih and 1 lumi.
7. Then, add in the blended ingredients and the rest of the special mandy spice.
8. Lastly, add in 2 tbsp. tomato puree.
9. Then, pour in the rest of the water together with the rice.
10. Put in 1 1/2 tsp of salt and 2 green chillies.
11. When the rice is 80% cooked, add in the chicken oil.

METHOD 3 - making the sauce

1. Blend the following without using water at all:
    2 tomatoes, 2 garlics, 1 tsp lemon juice, 5 stalks of coriander leave, 5 cili padi, one red chilli and
    1 tsp of salt


METHOD 4 - making the Arabic Salad

1. Dice 2 tomatoes and 1 cucumber (get rid of the centre first)
2. Slice thinly 1 large onion and 3 stalks of cucumber leave.
3. Put everything in a bowl and mix them up with 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of black pepper (the grind
    one.)

MY THOUGHTS

My family really love the dish. If you have gone to Hadratulmaut, you would like it too. You need to do all those above to really have the authentic taste.

How long does it take? Be prepared to be really really tired.