Chelo Nachodo (Chicken and Chickpea Stew with Rice)
Chelo Nachodo (Chicken and Chickpea Stew with Rice) is a traditional Afghan recipe for a classic dish of a chicken, vegetables and chickpea stew served with rice that's steamed in oil. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Afghan version of: Chicken and Chickpea Stew with Rice (Chelo Nachodo).
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This is a very substantial soup-stew that is a typical Afghan family meal.
Ingredients:
1.25l water
4 chicken legs
4 chicken thighs (discard any loose skin)
150g dried chickpeas soaked in water over night and drained
2 medium onions, chopped
1 celery stick (with leaves), sliced
1 large carrot, sliced at a bias
225g courgettes (zucchini), sliced
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp coriander leaves, chopped
1/4 tsp fresh dill, chopped
60ml lemon juice
1l water
1 tsp salt
300g basmati long-grain rice, thoroughly rinsed
60ml vegetable oil
Method:
Bring the water to a boil, add the chicken pieces and cook for 5 minutes. Remove any skim from the surface then add the chickpeas, onions, celery, carrots, courgettes, salt, black pepper and cumin. Bring back to a simmer, cover the pot and cook over medium heat for 45 minutes, or until the chickpeas and chicken are tender. At this point add the coriander, dill and lemon juice. Continue cooking for 15 minutes over low heat.
In them meantime, cook the rice. Bring the 1l of water to a boil. Add the salt then stir in the rinsed rice. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes then drain the rice. Rinse the rice under cold, running, water then return the rice to a pan and pour over the vegetable oil. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and continue cooking for 30 minutes (do not add any more water after this point).
Turn the rice (and the crust at the bottom of the pan) into a bowl and turn the chicken and chickpea stew into another bowl. Serve immediately.
To eat, each diner takes a portion of rice and covers it with as much of the chicken stew as they desire.
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