Hailing from the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia, Chef Abdulaziz Almutawa has made it his mission to bridge the gap between traditional Saudi flavors and contemporary dining experiences. With 15 years of culinary expertise under his belt, Chef Abdulaziz has created a signature dish that perfectly encapsulates his vision: Harees Arancini.

A Dash of His Past

Chef Abdulaziz's culinary journey began 15 years ago when he discovered his true calling in the kitchen. His dedication to his craft has led him to become a respected figure in the culinary world, authoring the Tagine Cookbook, joining the World Chefs Association and the Culinary Arts Commission, and overseeing prestigious events such as the Saudi Cups. Throughout his career, Chef Abdulaziz has been motivated by a desire to highlight the rich flavors of Saudi cuisine while making them more accessible and appealing to a wider audience. He believes that by combining familiar tastes with modern techniques and presentations, he can introduce more people to the delights of traditional Saudi dishes.

His Signature Dish: Harees Arancini

Harees Arancini is Chef Abdulaziz's creative take on the traditional Saudi porridge, Harees. By transforming the savory wheat and meat mixture into crispy, golden arancini, he creates an intriguing contrast of creamy filling and crunchy exterior. The dish is paired with a silky pumpkin puree and a luxurious dollop of black caviar, elevating the classic flavors to new heights.

Through his signature dish, Chef Abdulaziz Almutawa showcases the potential of traditional Saudi cuisine to captivate modern diners. By reimagining classic flavors and presenting them in an exciting new format, he is not only preserving the rich heritage of Saudi cuisine but also making it more accessible and enjoyable for a new generation of food lovers around the world.

Harees Arancini

Ingredients
500g Harees (soaked for two hours) 200g Diced onion
300g Red boneless pieces of meat 10g Ground cumin
80ml Olive oil A pinch of salt
4 liters water 80g MAGGI® Beef Powder
80g Breadcrumbs 2 pcs Eggs
200g Flour 500g Pumpkin
5g Black Caviar

Methods

Harees Arancini
1. Sauté the chopped onions in olive oil until browned. Add the red meat and cumin, stirring until the meat caramelizes.
2. Add MAGGI® Beef Powder, harees, and water. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for about 4 hours until the meat is well cooked.
3. Mash the mixture, including the meat, with a cake mixer.
4. Form into 80g balls and coat with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.


Pumpkin Puree
1. Bake the pumpkin at 170°C until tender (about 45 minutes). Scrape out the pumpkin flesh, blend until smooth, and strain to remove any fibers.


For Serving
1. Fry 3 balls of Harees Arancini.
2. Place on a serving dish, and serve with the pumpkin puree.
3. Top with black caviar.