How to Make Dried Molokhia with Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 ounce dried molokhia
• 1 kg chicken
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 head garlic, peeled
• Hot red or green pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon dried cilantro

Method

1. Clean the molokhia, removing yellow leaves and any other impurities.
2. Heat water in a pot on the stove and soak the molokhia leaves in it for about a quarter of an hour.
3. Discard the soaking water, wash the molokhia leaves well, drain and squeeze them. Fry the molokhia in a pan over low heat, stirring constantly until the leaves are thoroughly dried.
4. Meanwhile, wash the chicken and boil it with aromatics such as cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger, and any others as desired. Crush the garlic and sauté it with chopped coriander and crushed, chopped, or whole hot chili pepper.
5. Add the garlic and coriander mixture to the molokhia leaves, cover with water or chicken broth or a combination of both as desired. Let the molokhia boil for a while until cooked, then add the chicken with the bones removed.
6. Keep the pot over low heat for some time until the broth thickens and the flavors meld.
7. Serve with rice and vermicelli alongside the molokhia, and sprinkle a little lemon juice or vinegar with chopped onion over it when serving.
8. Najwa Awad