Mloukhiye Recipe

I believe there are many ways to cook Mouloukiye in lebanon, and also in other Arab Countries, but my recipe is the traditional family one.


Ingredients:

1 kilo of fresh Mloukhiye (or the frozen one if you don’t find the fresh)finely chopped
250 grams of cube meat
1 bunch of fresh coriander
7 clove of garlic
1 small onion finely chopped
salt, seven spices
1 teaspoon dried coriander
vegetable oil

Preparation:

Fry the meat  in  oil in the pressure cooker until it turns dark brown from all sides

Add a teaspoon of salt and another teaspoon of seven spices, cover with water and cook until it is tender, it will take about 15 minutes in the pressure cooker

In a pot heat some oil and fry the onion until golden

Add the Mloukhiye to the onion and mix for about two minutes

Put the cooked meat over the onion and Mloukhyie and put water just to cover, reduce the fire,cover the pot and let it simmer

In the meantime wash the fresh coriander and chop into very small pieces, mix it with the crushed garlic and a teaspoon of salt and the dried coriander

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a small saucepan and fry the mixture of garlic and coriander until golden brown

Add the coriander to the Moloukhiye pot and cook for more 5 minutes

Add the lemon juice and put the fire off

Now that the Mloukhyie is ready we need to serve it.

For serving we need:

Toasted pita bread
2 small onion finely chopped
Lemon juice or red vinegar (as you desire)
Boiled chicken
Cooked rice

Serving method:

- In a plate place the toasted pita bread and break into small pieces
- Over the bread put the rice, then the Mloukhiye
- On the top place some pieces of boiled chicken
- At the end put on tablespoon of the chopped onion with lemon juice or vinegar

Stuffed Artichoke Hearts

Ingredients:

 8 whole pieces of artichoke
200 grams minced beef
1 medium onion finely chopped
handful of pine seeds
2 medium carrot peeled and cut
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon seven spices
juice of one lemon
2 tablespoons of flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Preparation:

Boil the artichokes in salted water until they start to soften. Peel the leaves, cut off the stems, and keep the hearts. Place them in a tray with the carrots

Prepare the stuffing by frying in the heated oil the onion, then add the meat and the pine seeds.
Season with salt and the seven spices

Preheat the oven to 180C

Place a generous tablespoon of the filling in the heart of artichoke and press gently down

Prepare the sauce to cover them , mix the flour with a cup of water then add it to about one liter of water and pour gently over the stuffed hearts

Add the lemon juice, bake in the oven for about 30 minutes until the sauce boils and starts thickening

Serve it with cooked rice (if desired)

Lebanese stuffed zucchini recipe

This recipe is highly nutritious. Zucchinis are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B1, B6, B2, folate, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, phosphorus and protein. And the stuffing includes parsley, tomato, onion, mint, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil.

Parsley is an excellent source of anti-oxidant nutrients, iron, vitamins K, C and A and folic acid. Tomatoes are also rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, manganese and vitamin E. Together with the nutritional properties of lemon, onion and extra virgin olive oil, this healthy vegan Mediterranean diet recipe of Lebanese stuffed zucchini is highly nutritious and provide us with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, which are good to destroy the free radicals and to help prevent cancer.

PREP TIME 40 mins
COOK TIME 30 mins
TOTAL TIME 1 hour 10 mins

Author: Margarita @ Tasty Mediterraneo
Cuisine: Mediterranean Diet
Serves: 12 stuffed zucchinis

INGREDIENTS

12 Small Lebanese zucchini
50g (1/4 cup) White rice
A large bunch of fresh organic parsley, finely chopped
2 Medium tomatoes, thinly diced
1 Small onion, thinly chopped
A few leaves of fresh organic mint, finely chopped
1 Large lemon, freshly squeezed
3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1 Teaspoon sea salt (or salt to taste)
A pinch of freshly grounded black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Have all the vegetables well washed and prepared as indicated in the ingredients description.

2. Trim off the stem end of the zucchini. Dip that end of the zucchini in sea salt; repeat the same process with all the zucchinis and let them aside for 10 minutes. This will help to soften the zucchini flesh to scoop it out more easily. After the 10 minutes in salt, with the help of a special spoon, or an apple corer, scoop out the flesh of the zucchini, being careful enough not to make any hole. (Do not throw out the zucchini flesh; you can chop it up and use it for example to prepare an omelette, to sauté it with some chopped onion, …)

3. In a mixing bowl combine the thinly diced tomatoes, the thinly chopped parsley, the thinly chopped onion, the thinly chopped mint leaves, the freshly squeezed lemon juice, the EVOO, the rice, salt to taste and a pinch of freshly grounded black pepper.

4. Stuff each zucchini with the rice mix ¾ full.

5. Place the stuffed zucchinis in a saucepan, cover with water and cook at low heat for 25-30 minutes.

6. Remove from the heat and serve hot or cold.

Lebanese chicken with radish salad recipe

Ingredients

Marinade
1 tbspground cinnamon
2 tbspground cumin
10 cardamom pods
4 allspice berries
1 tbspground turmeric
1 1/2 tsppaprika
4 clovesgarlic, chopped
4 cmpiece ginger, peeled, coarsely chopped
2 tbsphoney
3/4 cup(180ml) olive oil
Lebanese chicken with radish salad
1 kgbutterflied chicken pieces
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Radish salad
1 long red chilli, seeded, finely sliced
1 spring onion, finely sliced
3 radishes, finely sliced
1 lebanese cucumber, diced
5 okra, sliced
1 lemon, segmented
2 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
1 tbspapple cider vinegar
3 tbspchopped flat-lead parsley leaves
3 tbspchopped coriander leaves
3 tbspchopped mint leaves

Steps

1. To make the marinade; put all the spices in a food processor or spice grinder and process until you have a fine powder. Add the garlic and ginger, and process to a paste. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in the honey and oil.

2. Rub the marinade into the skin and flesh of the chicken. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

3. Remove the chicken from the fridge and season with a little salt and pepper. Heat a barbecue to high or preheat the oven to 180°C. If you are using a barbecue, cook the chicken for 10-14 minutes, or until cooked through, turning over after 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, place the chicken on a baking tray, spaced well apart, and roast in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until cooked through.

4. To make the radish salad; combine the chilli, spring onion, radish, cucumber, okra and lemon in a bowl. Add the oil, vinegar and herbs, season to taste and gently toss.

5. Serve the chicken with the radish salad.

Bukhari Rice with Chicken Recipe

Bukhari Rice is a very simple but delicious rice which is popular in the Middle East. Especially the Gulf Countries. A deliciously scented Rice with chicken.

Ingredients:

For the rice:
700 g chicken (skin and fat removed), cut into pieces
1 onion, chopped
3 pieces
1 teaspoon of each (salt, black pepper)
2 tablespoons corn oil
2 cups tomatoes, blended
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 carrots, cut into thin strips
2 cups
1 Liter boiling water
¼ cup
¼ cup

For the spicy tomato Salad:
¾ cup green coriander, chopped
1 tomato
1 clove of garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 green chili (optional)
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon dry coriander, ground

Steps:

1) In a cooking pot over medium heat, place the chicken, onion, whole spices, salt, black pepper, and oil

2) Add the tomato juice and tomato paste

3) Meanwhile wash the rice then cook it in the boiling water and strain it once it is half way cooked.

4) Add the carrot to the chicken and tomato mix; bring it to a boil

5) Add the rice and bring to a boil then lower the heat and put a metal ring under the pot and cover for 20 minutes.

6) When the rice is cooked (if it is not cooked leave on the heat for more time and add a little boiled water), transfer into a plate and garnish with almonds and raisins.

7) For the spicy tomato salad: add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend well; serve alongside the rice.

Fasulia (Middle Eastern Lamb and Bean Stew) Recipe

Prep 15 MIN
Total 4 HR 0 MIN
Servings 6

Slow cooked lamb, green beans, and potato, in a savory tomato broth spiked with cumin and allspice.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/4 pounds lamb shoulder
42 ounce canned diced tomatoes
4 small golden potatoes
12 ounce green beans
1 large onion sliced
3 cloves garlic
2 cups stock
1 can cannellini beans
Rice
Flour

Steps

1. Cut the lamb into 1 inch pieces, dry, salt, pepper, and very lightly coat with flour. Cook in a pot on very high heat in a small amount of olive oil until browned. do this in 2 batches, making sure to brown everything really nicely. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.

2. Add the onion to the pan, scraping the pan to release any brown bits. If there is any stubborn brown bits that are beginning to burn, splash a little water into the pan and they should come off easily. Cook the onions until they are beginning to brown. Add the garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add the spices and stir to coat everything.

3. Add the tomatoes and taste, adjusting salt and spices if needed. Return the lamb to the pot and simmer for about 2 hours.

4. Chop the potatoes into big chunks and add to the pot. Add stock if you need more liquid. Simmer 20 minutes.

5. Add the green beans (and again more stock if needed) and simmer 40 minutes or until potatoes and green beans are tender. Add cannellini beans and cook 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and serve with rice.

Ablama (Stuffed Zucchini) Recipe

Ingredients:

1 kilo of baby zucchini
200 grams minced meat
1 medium onion, finely shopped
1 handful pine seeds
1 tablespoon tomato pureé
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon 7 spices
1 tablespoon canola oil
frying oil

Preparation:

1. Wash the zucchini, cut the head and remove the inside with a corer; don’t throw them, you’ll use them to make omelette with them (stay tuned, it will be in the next post)

2. Heat the frying oil in a saucepan and fry the zucchini until slightly colored, then place them on a kitchen towel to absorb the excess of oil and allow them to cool

3. In another saucepan, heat the canola oil, fry the pine seeds until golden color then put the onion and cook until the onion is colored, add the minced meat and let it cook. Season with one teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon seven spices

4. Fill the zucchini with the meat, place in a pot, cover with about 3 cups of water and tomato paste; season with the remaining teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of spices

5. Let it boil, then reduce the fire and let it simmer for about 25 minutes
Serve it with cooked rice, and enjoy

Lemon and mint lamb kebabs with couscous salad recipe

for 4 people
Takes 20 minutes to make and 10-12 minutes to cook
Easy

Perfect for a barbecue, but if it rains, cook under a grill for a tasty summer meal. These light cookies are just as delicious eaten on their own, but look stunning when presented as a dessert. This recipe uses the UK's No.1 sweetener

INGREDIENTS

500g lamb leg steaks
4 small red onions, cut into wedges
2 small-medium courgettes, halved lengthways and thickly sliced
(sh) Lemon and mint dressing
Grated zest from 3 lemons
4 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp granular Canderel
4 tbsp finely chopped mint leaves
(sh) Couscous
125g couscous
200ml chicken or vegetable stock
150g cherry tomatoes, halved
5 spring onions, trimmed and chopped

METHOD

1. Cut the lamb into cubes, thread onto metal skewers alternating with the onions and courgettes.
2. Mix together the lemon juice, zest, garlic, olive oil, and Canderel.
3. To make the couscous salad, put the couscous into a bowl, pour over the stock and leave to stand for 10 minutes then fluff up with a fork. Add 2 tbsp of the lemon and mint dressing, stir into the couscous. When cool add the tomatoes and spring onions and season if needed and toss together.
4. To cook the kebabs, preheat the barbecue, brush the kebabs with some of the dressing. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning until the lamb is cooked. Serve with the couscous salad with any extra dressing drizzled over the kebabs.

Lamb kofta kebabs recipe

Serves 4
Ready in 25 minutes
Easy

A healthier version of that takeaway classic, this kebab recipe has all the taste without the grease.

INGREDIENTS

500g organic lamb mince
1 tbsp Moroccan spice mix (we used Schwartz)
1 spring onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander, plus extra for the salad
4 tbsp apricot jam, warmed
3 tbsp houmous
150g natural yogurt
Warm pittas, to serve (we used Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Mixed Olive Pittas)
Salad and sliced red onion, to serve

METHOD

01. Preheat the grill to medium-hot. Soak 8 wooden skewers in water.

02. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the mince, spice mix, spring onion and the coriander. Season. Shape into 32 balls and thread 4 onto each skewer. Grill or barbecue for 10-15 minutes, turning, until cooked. Just before they are ready, brush with the jam.

03. Mix the houmous and yogurt in a bowl. Season. Accompany the kebabs with pittas, salad, sliced red onion sprinkled with coriander and the houmous dressing.

Lebanese roast chicken stuffed with rice, lamb and cinnamon recipe

Serves 4-6
Hands-on time 1 hour, oven time 1 hour 50 min
Easy

Debbie Major serves her Lebanese roast chicken with steamed spinach, a buttery rice pilaf and cacik – the Turkish equivalent of tzatziki.

Nutritional info per serving
For 6 servings

Calories 651kcals
Fat 29.5g (9.5g saturated)
Protein 66.8g
Carbohydrates 30g (15.9g sugars)
Fibre 3g
Salt 1.8g

INGREDIENTS

1 tsp salt
½ tsp cumin seeds
4 green cardamom pods, cracked
4 cloves
100g basmati rice
1 tbsp sunflower oil, plus extra for shallow frying
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 fat garlic clove, crushed
½ tsp each ground cinnamon, ground cumin and ground cloves
Pinch ground cardamom
350g British lamb mince
150ml fresh lamb or chicken stock
50g toasted pine nuts, plus extra
2kg free-range chicken
Olive oil for rubbing
50g raisins
150g shallots, thinly sliced and layers separated
25g butter
250g carrots, cut into thin batons
1 tsp caster sugar
1 tsp pomegranate molasses (from the world food aisle of supermarkets, Middle Eastern shops or online)

For the cacik

200g cucumber
250g whole natural yogurt (we like Yeo Valley)
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or mint, plus extra to garnish

METHOD

01. Put the salt, cumin, cardamom and cloves in a large pan with about  1 litre water and bring to the boil. Add the rice, bring back to a vigorous boil and cook for 5 minutes. Drain.

02. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan, add the onion and garlic, cover and cook gently for 10 minutes or until soft and lightly browned. Add the ground spices and fry for 1 minute. Add the lamb mince and fry, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it’s all changed colour. Add the stock and simmer for 15 minutes or until it has all evaporated. Stir in the rice, the 50g toasted pine nuts and some seasoning to taste.

03. Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/ gas 6. Season the bird’s cavity, then spoon in as much of the lamb and rice stuffing as you can. Tie the legs together with string to help stop the stuffing escaping. Put the rest of

04. The stuffing in a small ovenproof dish, cover with oiled foil and set aside.

05. Rub the chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Put in a lightly oiled roasting tin, cover with foil and roast for 1 hour 20 minutes. Uncover and roast the chicken for a further 30 minutes and put the stuffing dish alongside the chicken.

06. While the chicken is in the oven, cover the raisins with boiling water and leave to soak for 20 minutes, then drain and dry well on kitchen paper. Heat 1cm sunflower oil in a frying pan, add the sliced shallots and fry over a high heat until golden. Scoop out with a slotted spoon onto kitchen paper, sprinkle with salt and leave to cool.

07. To make the cacik, peel the cucumber, cut it in half lengthways and scoop out the seeds with a teaspoon. Cut the flesh into small chunks and stir into the yogurt with the garlic, chopped herbs and some salt to taste. Chill until needed.

08. When the chicken is cooked, lift it onto a carving board, wrap in foil and rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a frying pan, add the carrots, sugar, 1 tbsp water and some salt and pepper, then stir-fry for 5 minutes or until just tender. Add the raisins and heat through.

09. Spoon the dish of stuffing into a warmed shallow serving dish and combine with the stuffing from the cavity of the chicken. Add half the carrots and shallots and fork them through, then top with the rest. Drizzle with the pomegranate molasses and sprinkle with extra pine nuts. Carve the chicken and serve with the lamb stuffing and cacik, garnished with extra herbs.

To Drink
For a white, try a peach-flavoured, juicy viognier. For red, pick a light pinot noir.