Jasmin Rose Ibrahim shows us her recipe for kafta, a Lebanese beef dish full of flavour that pairs perfectly with a side of rice or a delicious fattoush salad.
SERVES
4
TO
5
Ingredients
Fattoush Salad
1 loaf pita bread
1 head of romaine lettuce
1 cup bell peppers, chopped
2 cups tomatoes, diced
1 cup cucumbers, chopped
1/2 cup radish, chopped
1/2 cup red onion
1/3 cup mint, finely chopped
1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tsp sumac
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp zaatar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
Vermicelli Rice
3 cups rice
1/3 cup vermicelli
2 tbsp butter
3 1/2 cups water
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Kafta
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cups onions, chopped
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
Directions
For the salad
Chop pita into squares and bake at 350° until golden brown.
Chop all vegetables.
Place in large bowl.
Add spices, lemon, oil and pita chips.
Toss and set aside for serving.
For the rice
Rinse rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
In a medium pot, melt butter over medium heat.
Add vermicelli and stir for four to five minutes or until golden brown. Monitor closely.
Add rice, salt, cinnamon and water
Bring to a boil on a high-medium heat.
Reduce heat; simmer while covered for 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
For the kafta
In a large bowl mix ground beef, onion, parsley and spices.
Roll kafta mixture into oblong shape. Roughly one-inch thickness.
Grill on pan for roughly four to five minutes per side.
To serve
Remove the rice from heat and let sit covered for five minutes.
Serve rice and beef together and add salad on top.