Emirates Camel Mandi
A traditional Emirati dish featuring slow-cooked camel meat, infused with aromatic spices, served over fragrant rice. Mandi is a celebratory dish often prepared for special occasions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 kg Camel meat(bone-in, cut into large pieces)
- 500 g Basmati rice
- 3 large Onions(finely chopped)
- 6 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 2 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 4 medium Tomatoes(pureed)
- 100 g Camel fat or Ghee
- 3 tbsp Mandi spice mix(a blend of cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and dried lime)
- 1 pinch Saffron threads(soaked in 2 tbsp rose water)
- to taste Salt
- as needed Water
- 1/2 cup Fresh coriander(chopped, for garnish)
- 1/4 cup Toasted almonds(for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Marinate the camel meat with half of the mandi spice mix, salt, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
- 2
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the camel fat or ghee over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated camel meat on all sides until browned.
- 3
Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly golden, about 8-10 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the tomato puree and the remaining mandi spice mix. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spices are fragrant.
- 5
Add enough water to almost cover the meat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and let it cook for 4-6 hours, or until the camel meat is extremely tender and falling off the bone. Check periodically and add more water if needed to keep the meat moist.
- 6
About 30 minutes before the meat is done, rinse the basmati rice and drain well. In a separate pot, heat a little ghee or oil, add the rinsed rice, and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- 7
Carefully remove the tender camel meat from the cooking liquid and set aside. Strain the cooking liquid into the pot with the rice, adding enough to cover the rice by about 1 inch. Add salt to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and fluffy.
- 8
To serve, spread the cooked rice on a large platter. Arrange the tender camel meat pieces on top of the rice. Drizzle the saffron-infused rose water over the meat. Garnish with fresh coriander and toasted almonds.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Camel meat can be tough, so slow and low cooking is essential for tenderness.
- ✓Ensure the pot is well-sealed to trap steam and moisture during the long cooking process.
- ✓Adjust the mandi spice mix to your preference. You can find pre-made mixes or create your own.
- ✓If camel fat is unavailable, ghee or a neutral oil can be used, but camel fat adds authentic flavor.
🔄 Variations
- For a smoky flavor, traditionally, a piece of burning charcoal is placed in a small bowl with a bit of oil, then placed in the pot with the meat and rice, and the pot is covered to infuse the smoke.
- Serve with a side of yogurt or a simple tomato and cucumber salad.