Riz Bil Kousa Wa Fattoush Wa Kebbeh

Riz Bil Kousa Wa Fattoush Wa Kebbeh is a delightful Lebanese dish that combines fragrant rice with tender zucchini, a refreshing salad, and savory kebbeh. This meal is not only flavorful but also offers a beautiful presentation for any dining occasion.

Ingredients

• Basmati rice - 150 grams
• Zucchini (Kousa) - 2 medium-sized
• Ground beef or lamb - 100 grams
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Pine nuts - 30 grams
• Tomatoes - 1 medium, diced
• Cucumber - 1 small, diced
• Radishes - 4, thinly sliced
• Green lettuce - 1 cup, chopped
• Parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Mint - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
• Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
• Ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Allspice - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Pita bread - 2 pieces, toasted

Steps

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes, then drain.
2. In a pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
3. Add the ground meat to the pot, stirring occasionally until browned. Season with salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and allspice.
4. Stir in the pine nuts and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they are lightly toasted. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. In a separate pot, bring 300ml of water to a boil. Add the soaked rice and a pinch of salt, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes until the rice is tender and water is absorbed.
6. While the rice is cooking, prepare the zucchini. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides carefully, leaving a shell. Chop the insides and mix them with the meat mixture.
7. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the chopped zucchini flesh until soft. Mix with the meat and set aside.
8. Stuff the zucchini shells with the meat and rice mixture, placing them in a baking dish. Drizzle with a little olive oil and bake at 180°C for 20 minutes until the zucchini is tender.
9. For the fattoush salad, combine diced tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, chopped lettuce, parsley, and mint in a bowl. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and lemon juice, then toss to combine.
10. Serve the stuffed zucchini alongside the fattoush salad and toasted pita bread.

Nutrition

• Calories: 600
• Protein: 28 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 70 mg
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in protein from the meat and nuts which supports muscle health.
• High in vitamins and minerals from the fresh vegetables, contributing to overall health.

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