Kousa Mahshi Bil Riz

Kousa Mahshi Bil Riz is a delightful Lebanese dish made by stuffing zucchini with a fragrant rice and herb mixture, then simmering them in a light tomato sauce. This vegetarian delight offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a comforting meal.

Ingredients

• Zucchini - 2 medium-sized
• Long-grain rice - 100 grams
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Tomato - 1 large, diced
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Fresh mint - 1 tablespoon, chopped
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Water - 400 milliliters

Steps

1. Wash the zucchini and cut off the tops. Hollow out the insides using a small spoon or a corer, being careful not to break the outer skin.
2. In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the diced tomato to the pan and cook for another 5 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in the rice, parsley, mint, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Mix well and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from heat and allow the rice mixture to cool slightly before stuffing the hollowed zucchini with it, leaving some space at the top for the rice to expand.
6. In a large pot, combine the tomato paste and water, stirring to dissolve the paste. Bring to a simmer.
7. Carefully place the stuffed zucchini into the simmering tomato sauce. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for about 30-35 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender.
8. Once cooked, remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 6 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in dietary fiber which aids digestion.
• Packed with vitamins and antioxidants from zucchini and herbs.

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