Riz Bi Kousa Mahshi

Riz Bi Kousa Mahshi is a flavorful Lebanese dish featuring zucchini stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, spices, and ground meat, served on a bed of fragrant rice. This gluten-free recipe captures the essence of traditional Lebanese cuisine while being easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• Zucchini - 2 medium
• Ground beef or lamb - 200 grams
• Short-grain rice - 100 grams
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Tomato paste - 1 tablespoon
• Ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Allspice - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Vegetable broth - 500 milliliters
• Pine nuts - 2 tablespoons, toasted (optional)

Steps

1. Wash and trim the ends of the zucchinis, then hollow them out using a small knife or a corer, being careful not to pierce the skin.
2. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, cinnamon, allspice, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
5. In a bowl, mix the cooked meat mixture with the short-grain rice until well combined.
6. Stuff each zucchini with the rice and meat mixture, leaving a little space at the top for the rice to expand as it cooks.
7. In a large pot, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat, then place the stuffed zucchinis upright in the pot.
8. Pour the vegetable broth over the zucchinis, ensuring they are partially submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until the zucchinis are tender and the rice is fully cooked.
9. Carefully remove the zucchinis and set aside. Increase the heat to medium-high to reduce the broth slightly, if needed.
10. To serve, place the stuffed zucchinis on a plate, drizzle with the reduced broth, and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbs: 50 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Cholesterol: 60 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in vitamins and minerals from zucchini and parsley.
• Provides a good source of protein and healthy fats from the meat and olive oil.

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