Basic Melokiyah

Ingredients

 * 2 pounds frozen or dried Melokiyah
 * 1 onion, cut in half
 * 1 bay leaf
 * 4-5 cardamom grains
 * 5 pound chicken ( or 2 smaller chickens)
 * 15-20 garlic cloves, crushed
 * 1 Tb coriander powder
 * 1 Tb lemon juice
 * cooking oil
 * salt
 * cooked rice

Directions

 * 1) Boil water with onion, salt, bay leaf and cardamom tied in a muslin bag, then add the chicken and cook until tender. Remove chicken, cut into neat joints and fry.
 * 2) Discard the muslin bag and mash the onion. Boil the soup stock, add the melokiyah, adjust the seasoning and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Do not overcook, as the melokiyah will lose its ability to be suspended in the broth and fall to the bottom of the pot.
 * 3) Mix crushed garlic with salt and coriander (ta’liya) and fry until golden. Toss into the boiling melokiyah and simmer for 2 minutes. Add lemon juice.
 * 4) Place the cooked rice at the bottom of the serving bowl, add a piece of chicken and cover with the soup.