Ruz ala dajaj (Lebanese rice)

This has been requested for a long time by friends, as my mum makes it absolutely delicious! This Lebanese rice dish is super simple, yet tastes delicious.

1. Cook the mince meat on medium heat, until it changes colour
2. Meanwhile, add the boneless chicken to a saucepan and cover it with enough water to immerse the chicken. Leave it on medium/high heat until the chicken cooks through
3. Wash and drain the rice with water a couple of times, until the water is no longer cloudy, then set aside
4. Add salt, black pepper and cinnamon to the cooked minced meat, then take 2 cups of the water from the cooked boneless chicken and add it to the minced meat saucepan. Add the chicken stock and leave to boil whilst mixing
5. Add the rice, mix briefly, then cover and cook over low heat for 10 mins
6. In the meantime, heat the vegetable oil in a pan, then add the almonds until lightly browned. Remove onto kitchen towels. Add the cashew nuts to the same oil, and cook until lightly browned, then remove to drain on kitchen towels. Finally do the same with the pistachios and set aside
7. Once 10 mins are over for the rice, check that the rice is cooked but using a fork to mix the rice. If it is cooked, remove off the heat and leave covered for a further 10 mins. If it needs longer to cook, leave for a further few mins, then remove off the heat and leave
8. When serving, place the rice in the serving dish, top with the boneless chicken shredded to pieces, then the nuts on top of this

This goes perfectly with yoghurt, or salad or anything really!! Super easy and looks like hard work - yet it really isn't. Hope you give it a go, and enjoy :)