Shami Hummus Fatteh with Ground Beef

Fatteh with hummus is a well-known Levantine dish, often served for breakfast. It’s mainly prepared with cooked chickpeas and toasted bread, making it a complete and protein-rich meal. Adding ground beef makes it even more hearty and flavorful.

Cooking time: 60 minutes

Serves: 5 people

Ingredients

• Arabic bread: 3 loaves

• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon

• Chickpeas: 1 cup (dried)

• Water: 4 cups

• Baking soda: ½ teaspoon (for soaking)

• Garlic: 2 cloves, crushed

• Tahini: ¼ cup

• Lemon juice: ½ lemon, freshly squeezed

• Salt: to taste

For the meat topping:

• Ground beef: 250 g

• Onion: 1 small, finely chopped

• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced

• Tomato: 1, peeled and chopped

• Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon

• Mixed spices: ½ teaspoon

• Cinnamon: a pinch

• Salt and black pepper: to taste

• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons

For garnish:

• Pine nuts: toasted, as desired

Preparation

1. Prepare the chickpeas:

   • Soak the dried chickpeas in water with baking soda overnight.

   • Drain, rinse, and cook in fresh water until soft. Reserve some of the cooking water.

2. Make the hummus base:

   • In a food processor, blend the chickpeas with garlic, tahini, lemon juice, some cooking water, and salt until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.

3. Toast the bread:

   • Cut the Arabic bread into small squares.

   • Spread on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and toast in a preheated oven until golden and crispy.

4. Prepare the meat topping:

   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

   • Sauté the onion until soft, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

   • Add the ground beef, stir until browned, then mix in the tomato, tomato paste, spices, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.

   • Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until well combined and flavorful.

5. Assemble the fatteh:

   • In a large serving dish, layer the toasted bread squares.

   • Spread the creamy hummus mixture over the bread.

   • Top with the beef mixture.

   • Garnish with toasted pine nuts.

✨ Serve warm and enjoy this comforting and traditional Levantine dish!