Iraqi Baked Dinner Recipes

Steps:

• Slice eggplants in half lengthwise then slice into 1/2-inch slices.
• Spread slices on waxed paper or cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle with salt then set aside.
• In a saucepan, cover potato slices with water, bring to a boil and cook for 6 minutes.
• Mix next 5 ingredients (beef, garlic, salt, pepper and allspice).
• Shape into 12 2-inch patties.
• Rinse eggplant.
• In deep 3-4 quart casserole arrange eggplant, potatotes (drained), tomatoes, meat patties, and onions alternately in rows, standing on end.
• Mix together remaining ingredients (tomato puree/sauce, water, salt & pepper).
• Pour sauce over casserole.
• Bake in 350F oven for 1 hour or until potatoes and eggplant are cooked through.
• Serve with warm, freshly baked bread.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Stir in the turmeric and brown the chicken on all sides. Add the water, tomato paste, spices, salt, pepper (I use a lot of pepper and not very much salt) and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the chicken.
• Return the cooking liquid to a boil and add the rice. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. If the rice is dry, add a little more water. Take the rice off the stove and cool for a few minutes, uncovered.
• Mix the garbanzo beans into the rice mixture and then spoon a cup or so of rice into the cavity of the chicken. Make a well in the rice within the pot and nestle the chicken, breast side up, into the rice.
• Take the eggs and carefully prick a hole in the round part of the eggshell (to let air escape) and then bury them carefully in the rice around the chicken. Make sure they are not touching the bottom of the pot. Explosions are not good.
• Cover with aluminum foil and then cover tightly with the dutch ovens lid and bake in a 200F oven overnight (10 hours). You can also bake the casserole at 350F for 2 hours, reducing the heat to 250F and cooking for 2-3 more hours.
• When ready to serve, remove the chicken carefully and de-bone it. Arrange on a serving platter with the rice mounded around it. Scrape up all the crusty rice from the bottom of the pan - its the best part. Arrange the eggs, peeled and halved, on top of the rice.