Embark on a culinary journey to Syria and discover the tantalizing flavors of Syrian rice with meat, a cherished dish that embodies the essence of Syrian cuisine. This delectable one-pot meal, also known as Ruz bil Lahme, is a harmonious blend of succulent meat, aromatic rice, and a symphony of spices that will tantalize your taste buds.
Syrian rice with meat is a versatile dish that can be prepared with either lamb or beef, offering a choice of flavors to suit your preferences. The addition of vegetables like carrots, green bell peppers, and tomatoes adds a vibrant touch of color and texture, while the fragrant spices, such as cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom, create a captivating aroma that will fill your kitchen.
This hearty and flavorful dish is a staple in Syrian households, often served during special occasions and family gatherings. It is a testament to the culinary skills of Syrian cooks, who have perfected the art of combining simple ingredients to create a masterpiece.
In this article, we present a collection of Syrian rice with meat recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. Whether you prefer a traditional preparation or a more modern interpretation, you're sure to find a recipe that will satisfy your cravings.
From the classic Syrian rice with lamb to the vegetarian version featuring an array of vegetables, these recipes cater to diverse dietary preferences. We also include tips and tricks to ensure perfect cooking, so you can recreate the authentic flavors of Syrian cuisine in your own kitchen.
SYRIAN LAMB WITH GREEN BEANS AND RICE
Steps:
- Saute the chops in butter so they are brown on both sides. Add the onion, garlic, bay leaf, red pepper and seasoning and cook for 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of water and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the green beans and tomatoes. Cover and cook for 1 hour on a medium fire checking occasionally to be sure the lamb mixture is not boiling too rapidly. The beans will be cooked more than we are used to but they will be bathed in the lamb tomato mixture which is divine.
- For the rice pilaf: In the melted butter saute the vermicelli, bay leaf, and red pepper until the noodles are golden. Watch carefully and add the garlic so it sautes too. Noodles should be golden. Be careful not to brown. Add the rice and cook for a minute. When ready to serve add the chicken stock and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for 25 minutes.
SYRIAN-STYLE SHAKRIYA WITH RICE
Pronounced "shack-ree-ay", this is a yogurt-based dish that can be made with beef, lamb, or chicken. If you decide to make with beef as I usually do, the meat must be boiled separately in beef stock for a minimum of 3 hours to make it melt-in-your-mouth tender for the best results. This dish is best paired with arabic-style rice and if preferred, a salad. I have tried this recipe with American and Greek style yogurts but they do give the best results. The American yogurt is not sour enough and forms little balls that separate out of the liquid and the Greek yogurt is often too thick and is not the right consistency. Arabic yogurt can be found in most Arabic or Halal grocery stores. Also, if making the rice, I usually use Ghee but if you cannot find it, butter is a good substitute. Margarine is not as it contains too much water and evaporates without doing its job, browning the vermicelli. Also, some find it easy to pre-blend the corn starch into the milk before adding it to the yogurt. Doing this will not harm the recipe. I have always used a non-stick pan. If you do not have one, be sure it does not stick to the bottom or burn by stirring quickly and consistantly and use a lower temperature. Be sure to soak the rice for at least 2 hours and wash it until its water is no longer cloudy before cooking.
Provided by Mustafas Cook
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 4h
Yield 13 cups, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Boil meat in a stock pot until fork tender in broth or whatever seasings you usually use. Boiling time will vary depending on type of meat used and cut of meat chosen. Obviously, chicken will not take as long as beef or lamb. This step may take up to 3 hours.
- Get an 8 QT non-stick pot ready. In a blender, blend one container of yogurt, one tablespoon of corn starch, 1/2 cup of milk and one egg until well blended. Pour into waiting pot.
- Repeat with second container of yogurt.
- Place 8 QT pot on medium heat and stir continually until thickened. DO NOT LET IT BOIL! During this time, add the buillon cube, but crush it first to make sure it dissolves faster. You will know it is done when it is really starting to stick to the sides of the pan and coats a spoon. This step should be about 15 minutes.
- Salt the yogurt sauce to taste, but be careful not to cover its natural sourness. That is the heart of the dish. If you feel it may be a tad too thick, add some water, 1/4 cup at a time. This also helps if you have added too much salt. Add the meat to the yogurt sauce at this time.
- In a large pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat it just enough to melt the butter. Add the vermicelli and stir. Turn up heat so the vermicelli begins to "fry" and turn a golden-brown color. Remove from heat if it burns or gets too dark brown. This step should be about 5 minutes.
- Drain the white rice thoroughly and add it to the browned vermicelli, mixing them together well. Follow the cooking directions on the bag of rice from this point out. Salt to taste. This step should be about 30 minutes.
- To serve, place a generous helping of rice to one side of a shallow bowl and fill the other half of the bowl with the yogurt sauce and meat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1021.8, Fat 24.1, SaturatedFat 14.3, Cholesterol 132.8, Sodium 374.2, Carbohydrate 168.1, Fiber 3.4, Sugar 15.4, Protein 29.2
SYRIAN RICE
A Syrian friend gave me this. They got it off the internet because they missed their mom's rice. I wish I knew who to credit.My DH who lived in Lebanon when he was young even says this is like the rice his mom makes, maybe even a little better!
Provided by Kristianne
Categories White Rice
Time 30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Wash the rice in strainer.
- Soak rice for 15 minutes in hot water.
- Put butter in pan, melt, and then brown Spaghetti pieces or Orzo using a medium heat.
- Be careful not to burn the butter.
- Now drain your rice that is soaking and add it to the butter/ Spaghetti (or Orzo) in your pan.
- Saute the rice for approximately 5 minutes with medium heat stirring frequently to avoid burning the rice.
- You want a nice light brown color.
- After rice is browned, add 4 Cups Hot Water and Salt.
- Cover and bring to a boil.
- You want it to boil briskly for about 5 minutes.
- Turn heat to LOW and cook until all the water is absorbed.
- This should take about 15 minutes with Very Low heat.
- You might want to stir once or twice to make sure it is not burning.
- Uncover when you are ready to serve and make sure to stir it again at this point.
Tips and Conclusion
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will result in a more delicious dish. Choose high-quality basmati rice, tender lamb or beef, and ripe, juicy tomatoes.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When browning the meat and vegetables, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the ingredients from cooking evenly and will result in a soggy dish.
- Cook the rice until it is fluffy and tender: When cooking the rice, be sure to follow the package directions carefully. Cook the rice until it is fluffy and tender, but not mushy.
- Season the dish to taste: Once the dish is cooked, taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or cumin if desired.
- Serve the dish with your favorite toppings: Syrian rice with meat is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of toppings. Popular toppings include yogurt, cucumber salad, and pita bread.
Conclusion: Syrian rice with meat is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. The combination of tender meat, fluffy rice, and aromatic spices is sure to please everyone at the table. With a few simple tips, you can easily make this dish at home. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give Syrian rice with meat a try. You won't be disappointed!
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