Groats & Mixed Vegetables

A traditional dish served back at Home ( Bahrain ).

Ingredients: ( 3-4 servings)

1. 1 1/2 cup of Groats
2. 1 onion finely chopped
3. 2-3 tomatoes diced
4. 1 or 1 1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables
5. 2 1/2 cups chicken stock ( homemade if possible )
6. 3 minced garlic cloves
7. 1/4 cup tomato sauce
8. 1/4 cup chopped parsley
9. spices to taste ( cumin powder, garam masala (or any mixed spice available ),curry powder,hot chilli powder,turmeric, 1 1/2 tea.s salt.

Method:

1. using a non stick pan brown the groats then set a side to cool.
2. using a pot , saute the onions first until browned then add the garlic
3. add the diced tomatoes and let it cook until its melts then add the tomato sauce and the mixed vegetables.
4. add the groats and parsley and season with the spices mentioned above.
5. add the salt.
6. gradually add the chicken stock while stirring on medium heat, until most of the stock is absorbed lower the heat and seal the pot with aluminum foil then cover and let it sit for 45 minutes aprox on low heat. you can check if its done after 30 minutes. if you feel it needs more moisture just add a little water on top and cover again.. Enjoy..

Grits & Groats the Arabian way (Jareesh)

Grits or groats cooked with chicken is an old famous traditional dish made back home in the Arabian gulf (GCC countries).
Its a hearty meal and for its smooth texture you can give it to your baby when he's 8 months old or older. But exclude the spices :p

Ingredients:

1. Cup of grits ( soaked in water at least 1 hour)
2. 3 cups chicken stock (homemade preferably)
3. 1 cooked chicken breast
4. 1/4 cup milk
5. 1 table.s cream cheese and butter
6. 1 1/4 tea.s salt
7. fine chopped onions and diced tomatoes
8. A pinch of black pepper,curry powder and cumin to taste.

Method:

1. Boil the grits in the chicken stock in a pressure cooker for 20 minutes. Keep it on high until it  starts to whistle then lower the heat to medium low.

2. Saute the onions in butter until brown then add the spices.

3.after the grits are cooked open the cooker carefully and set it on low heat with frequnt stirring.

4. Add the salt and cooked chicken along with half the amount of the browned onions.

5.stir and add the milk,cheese and butter and let it cook without the lid for 15 minutes.then blend it with the immersion blender.

6.add the tomatoes to the remaining onions and cook until its melted.

7. Serve the Jareesh topped with onion tomato mixture..Enjoy..

#If the grits is too runny you can add a table.s or two of rice flour and you can adjust the salt to your taste.