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Roz bi Dfeen

This homely dish is a favorite in Syria and Lebanon. Good-quality canned chickpeas will do. If you are using them, drain a 14-ounce can and put them in with the rice.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

1 pound small pearl or pickling onions or shallots, peeled
3 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
1 pound lean beef or lamb, cut into small cubes
1/3 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight
Pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin or cinnamon
Salt
2 cups long-grain rice

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    To peel the onions more easily, blanch them first in boiling water.

    Step 2

    Sauté the onions in the butter or oil in a large, heavy saucepan, stirring and shaking the pan, until golden. Add the meat and stir, turning the pieces over, until browned.

    Step 3

    Add the soaked and drained chickpeas, and cover with water. Add pepper and cumin or cinnamon, and simmer gently, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the meat is very tender and the chickpeas are soft, adding water if necessary, and salt when the chickpeas have begun to soften.

    Step 4

    Add enough more water to make the liquid up to about 3 cups. Bring to the boil again, throw in the rice, mix well, and simmer, covered and undisturbed, for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender, adding more water if it appears too dry.

    Step 5

    Turn off the heat, and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Cover of Claudia Roden's The New Book of Middle Easter Food, featuring a blue filigree bowl filled with Meyer lemons and sprigs of mint.
Reprinted with permission from The New Book of Middle Eastern Food, copyright © 2000 by Claudia Roden, published by Knopf. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.
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