Mansaf

Mansaf is a traditional Lebanese dish featuring tender lamb cooked in a rich yogurt sauce and served over fragrant rice. This delicious meal is often garnished with almonds and pine nuts, offering a unique taste of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Ingredients

• Lamb shoulder, bone-in - 500 grams
• Plain yogurt - 250 grams
• Basmati rice - 200 grams
• Water - 600 ml
• Onion, chopped - 1 medium
• Garlic, minced - 2 cloves
• Ground allspice - 1 teaspoon
• Ground cumin - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Pine nuts, toasted - 30 grams
• Almonds, toasted - 30 grams
• Fresh parsley, chopped - for garnish

Steps

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add the lamb shoulder to the pot and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in the ground allspice, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the meat with the spices.
5. Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1.5 hours, or until the lamb is tender.
6. Remove the lamb from the pot and set aside. Strain the broth to remove any solids and return the clear broth to the pot.
7. In a separate pot, rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Add the rice to the strained broth and bring to a boil.
8. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook the rice for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
9. While the rice is cooking, whisk the yogurt in a bowl until smooth. Gradually add a few ladles of the hot broth to the yogurt to temper it, stirring constantly.
10. Once tempered, pour the yogurt mixture back into the pot with the remaining broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
11. Return the lamb to the pot with the yogurt sauce and heat through for about 5 minutes.
12. To serve, place a mound of rice on each plate, top with the lamb and yogurt sauce, and garnish with toasted pine nuts, almonds, and chopped parsley.

Nutrition

• Calories: 640
• Protein: 45 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 120 mg
• Total Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Water: 0.6 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from lamb, supporting muscle growth and repair.
• Contains healthy fats from olive oil and nuts, beneficial for heart health.

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