Sunday 6 July 2008

Arabic Beef Rice Recipe


I absolutely love the flavours of Arabic cuisine.

My beef and spinac
h rice recipe is not a traditional Arabic recipe, yet the use of cinnamon, dried pomegranate seeds, dried chives, thyme and cumin gives this delicious rice recipe an Arabic title, if you taste it for yourself you will understand the exquisiteness of the Arabic flavours.

My rice recipe is easy to cook but is fantastic to serve up for family and friends.




Ingredients for Arabic Beef and Spinach Rice Recipe
1 Leek (washed, diced)
1 Pack Lean Beef Mince
4 Mushrooms (diced)
1/4 Cup Creamed/Sieved Tomatoes
Few Drops Water
1 Garlic Clove
2 Carrots (roughly grated large)
3 Handfuls Freshly Washed Spinach Leaves
Large Pinch Dried Chives
1/2 tsp Kalonji Seeds
1 tsp Pomegranate Seeds
Pinch Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1/4 tsp Dried Basil
1 tsp Paprika
Salt and Pepper to Season
Freshly Cooked Basmati Rice (2/3 - 1 Cup Dried Rice)
Olive Oil


How to make Jeenas beef and spinach rice recipe


Place kalonji seeds, cumin seeds, dried thyme, dried basil, paprika, cinnamon, dried pomegranate seeds into a blender and grind to a powder.

Gently fry the carrots and leeks until they start to soften.



Add garlic.



Add the powder and stir well.



Add the beef mince chop at it with a spatula and stir well.



Add the sieved tomatoes.



Add the dried chives, stir well.



Add the mushrooms and a few very small drops of water.

Only add a little water as you want a thick beef sauce not a watery stew, 2 tablespoons should be enough, just add a little water at a time so that you are in control of how much water you add.

Place a lid on and simmer for approximately 10 minutes or until beef is cooked tender.



Now add the spinach still simmering.

Cook only for a few minutes until the spinach leaves wilt, spinach does not take long to cook.

Season with salt and pepper.



Add the freshly cooked basmati rice, stir thoroughly.



Place all of the beef and spinach rice in a large serving dish decorate with fresh slices of vine tomatoes and lettuce leaves sprinkled with fresh coriander leaves or freshly chopped chives.

You can eat my Arabic beef rice recipe with yogurt dips and pita bread also.




Enjoy Jeenas Arabic style beef and spinach rice recipe.

21 comments:

Vicarious Foodie said...

I haven't had much experience with Arabic food, but this looks really great. I love cinnamon in savory dishes.

OhioMom said...

This looks yummy, I would love it sans the beef :)

Love all the flavors going on in this dish.

Anonymous said...

This type of dish is really unfamiliar to me, but it looks simply delicious. The flavors compliment the beef so well.

Dollys_Kitchen said...

It looks very good, maybe i should try it, i Love rice, but for some reason i never make it, i am use to eat many risotti , so that would be a change for me, thank you for the tip, and love to see your blog...ciao from your new Italian friend Dolly.

Alan said...

Oh good lord! That looks so good.

I stopped by to say hello to you, Jeena. Bridgett (La Bella Cook) is my cousin and you have commented on her dishes so I wanted to check out what you have been doing.

I really enjoy "Middle East" cusine, too. My uncle is Iranian and he would always make very good dinners when we visited his home. Yes, I hate him (haha), but still he is a great cook.

Glad to see you added Basmati rice since it may be the best rice out there...especially when you get the crunchy bottom, flip it over in a large bowl, and eat it with a delectable sauce.

Please feel free to check out my baking blog when you have a chance I would appreciate it :)

-Alan

Sujatha said...

I've never had arabic food, but this one looks delicious with all those healthy ingredients in the world! I don't eat beef, but sure can try with chicken or lamb! Thanks dear Jeena, for sharing!

Unknown said...

the combination of the flavour and spices makes me hungry!

La Bella Cooks said...

This dish looks so comforting and savory. I am new to Arabic cooking but seeing your pictures gives me a little more courage to try more. Lovely, Jeena!

Chibog in Chief said...

beef and spinach rice!! this is magical!! i love it

Swati said...

The rice looks yummy..Though no beef for me...
The greens look so green !! Normally they lose a bit of their color..The pics look very nice Jeena..

Jenny said...

Jeena,
This looks incredible, I love all those flavors!

Sum Raj said...

as usual i just luved ur step by step recipe....i dont eat beef but i guess i can try with minced chicken with the same process....adding spinach gives a nice colour and also its healthy

Prudy said...

I did a study abroad in Israel and fell in love with middle eastern foods. I would absolutely love this! Especially with some fresh pita or sesame bread.

Anonymous said...

Ohh, your Arabic Rice looks so delicious! My type of meal. Yummy yum!

I have a surprise for you on my blog. Check it out:)

Arabic Bites said...

The rice looks so delicious with all those flavors!

Zainab :)

Anonymous said...

Looks so mouthwatering Jeena! Yummy!

www.zaiqa.net

Unknown said...

Wonderful Jeena,I will try this with the chicken.Great combination of spices.I love the idea of kolonji and even though they are used in small quantities but does change the taste of the recipes.Sounds fantastic with spinach

test it comm said...

I have not had much Arabic cuisine but this dish is certainly looking really tasty!

Paula said...

Oh does this ever look good! This is one of those meals where I would savor every single bite! Love your step by step photos and instructions! Terrific recipe!

Anonymous said...

I had been searching for a recipe of Maundi rice (not sure if I spelled it right). Do you have it? If so please share it with me. My wife and I lived and worked in Saudi Arabia as expatriates for over 15 years and we really miss this food. Thank you!

Edward A

Chef Jeena said...

Hi Edward,

I think that you are referring to a mandy rice recipe.

Mandy rice uses chicken or lamb and is cooked in a tandoor oven, it is the tandoor that gives the meat its flavour, cooking it at home would taste a little different.

If you click on Arabic Bites name 5 comments above yours on this page, you will see my friends food blog which is Arabic and Saudi food.

I am sure if you email they will be happy to help.

Please bookmark JeenasKitchen.blogspot.com as I will be updating with new Arabic food recipes also, possibly mandy rice so stay tuned.

Thanks, Jeena.