Spicy Stuffed Basmati Rice with Ground Meat and Nuts

This flavorful dish can be served as a main course for lunch or dinner, or used as a delicious stuffing for chicken. It features spiced ground meat, basmati rice, chickpeas, and roasted nuts.

Cooking Time: 60 minutes

Serves: 6 people

Ingredients:

• 4 cups basmati rice, washed and drained

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 500 grams (about 1 lb) coarse ground beef

• 1 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight and boiled

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 teaspoon whole cardamom

• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 tablespoon mixed spices

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• 1 teaspoon hot paprika

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 cup mixed roasted nuts (e.g. almonds, pine nuts, cashews)

• Broth (as needed, to cook the rice)

• ¼ cup vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, heat the vegetable oil.

2. Add the chopped onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and whole black peppercorns. Sauté for a few minutes until fragrant.

3. Add the ground meat and cook until fully browned.

4. Season the meat with salt, hot paprika, mixed spices, cardamom, ground black pepper, and cumin. Mix well.

5. Stir in the boiled chickpeas and mix.

6. Add the washed rice and stir gently to combine.

7. Pour in enough broth to cover the rice mixture completely. Bring to a boil.

8. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked.

9. Transfer the rice to a serving dish, top with the roasted nuts, and serve hot.