Riz Bil Kousa w Tabbouleh

Riz Bil Kousa w Tabbouleh is a fragrant Lebanese rice dish paired with stuffed zucchini and a refreshing parsley salad. This dish beautifully combines the earthy flavors of rice with the crispness of tabbouleh, creating a healthy and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• Long-grain rice - 150 grams
• Medium zucchini - 2, hollowed
• Ground beef or lamb - 100 grams
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Tomato - 1 medium, diced
• Pine nuts - 30 grams, toasted
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon
• Parsley - 1 bunch, finely chopped
• Mint leaves - 10 grams, finely chopped
• Tomato - 1 medium, diced (for tabbouleh)
• Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
• Cucumber - 1 small, diced
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon (for tabbouleh)

Steps

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in cold water for 20 minutes.
2. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, then add the ground meat. Cook until browned.
4. Stir in the diced tomato, pine nuts, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Stuff the hollowed zucchinis with the meat and rice mixture, packing it tightly but leaving a little space at the top for expansion.
6. In a pot, add 1 cup of water, bring to a boil, then carefully place the stuffed zucchinis in the pot. Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes or until the zucchinis are tender.
7. While the zucchinis are cooking, prepare the tabbouleh. In a bowl, combine the chopped parsley, mint leaves, diced tomato, cucumber, lemon juice, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
8. Once the zucchinis are cooked, remove them from the pot and serve them on a plate alongside a generous serving of tabbouleh.

Nutrition

• Calories: 410
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbs: 45 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 60 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables.
• High in protein and fiber, promoting satiety and digestive health.

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