National Day Harees Feast
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Cracked wheat, soaked for 2 hours — 720 g (1.6 lb)
- Chicken or lamb, bone-in — 1.5 kg (3.3 lb)
- Onions, chopped — 2
- Ground cinnamon — 2 tsp
- Ground cardamom — 1 tsp
- Ghee — 115 g (4 oz)
- Water — 3.3 L (112 fl oz)
- Salt — to taste
- Ground cinnamon and extra ghee, to garnish
Method
- Combine the soaked, drained wheat, meat, onion, cinnamon, cardamom and water in a very large pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a very low simmer and cook, covered, for 4–5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the wheat and meat are completely soft (a larger quantity takes a little longer).
- Remove any bones from the meat.
- Using a wooden spoon or hand mixer, mash and beat vigorously until the mixture becomes a smooth, thick, cohesive porridge, shredding the meat further as you go.
- Stir in the ghee and season with salt.
- Serve hot to the gathered celebration, garnished with a drizzle of ghee and a dusting of cinnamon.
Introduction: A generous, feast-sized version of harees, prepared for Qatar National Day celebrations and large community gatherings.
Cultural Background: Qatar National Day is marked with pride and generous hospitality, and scaling up a beloved dish like harees to feed a large gathering of family and friends reflects the celebratory, communal spirit of the occasion.
Tips: Scale up the cooking time slightly for this larger batch, and stir even more frequently to prevent sticking given the greater volume. Enlist help from family and friends for the vigorous beating stage, as is traditional for a large celebratory batch.
Variations: Add a little sugar for a sweeter variation, a popular touch for some. Serve alongside other festive dishes for a complete National Day spread.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water, stirring frequently, until warmed through.
FAQs:
Q: When is Qatar National Day celebrated?
A: 18 December, commemorating the country's unification, celebrated with festivities and gatherings across the country.
Q: How many people does this festive batch serve?
A: This larger quantity comfortably serves 20 or more people as part of a community celebration.
- Cracked wheat, soaked for 2 hours — 720 g (1.6 lb)
- Chicken or lamb, bone-in — 1.5 kg (3.3 lb)
- Onions, chopped — 2
- Ground cinnamon — 2 tsp
- Ground cardamom — 1 tsp
- Ghee — 115 g (4 oz)
- Water — 3.3 L (112 fl oz)
- Salt — to taste
- Ground cinnamon and extra ghee, to garnish
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