Rice with Mutton and Chickpeas

This kidreh dish is a variation on the Bethlehem version and is very popular in the Ramallah and Bir-Zeit areas as well as in coastal Gaza where cumin, much more freely used, enhances the blandness of chickpeas with a warm and slightly bitter flavour. For best results, it is advisable to toast the cumin seeds in a small pan and grind them just before use. Otherwise, it is a good idea to grill and grind small quantities at a time and save them in a tightly covered jar away from any di