- Yield: 4-6
- Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
Ouzy (Spiced rice with Beef)
Ouzy is traditionally cooked for special events from Eid celebrations, welcoming guests for dinner parties at home and is the main dish served at wedding gatherings back in Lebanon. It can be prepared with lamb, beef or chicken and garnish with an assortment of toasted nuts and raisins with a fragment selection of spices. Simply served with salad and a yogurt dressing. It is a hearty meal that has a multitude of flavors to satisfy your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs of beef or lamb, cubed
- 1 1/2 cups of basmati rice
- 3 cups of water
- 1 cup of frozen green peas + 3/4 cup to garnish top (soaked in hot water for 5 minutes)
- 1/2 cup whole peeled almonds, toasted
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds or pine nuts, toasted
- 1/2 cup golden or sultana raisins, lightly toasted
- 2-4 tbsp. oil for roasting nuts and sautéing onions
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 4 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ tsp fresh ground pepper
- ½ tsp all spice
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 ½ tsp see salt
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp ground coriander
Instructions
- In frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and toast almonds and pine nuts separately until golden brown. Remove to plate and lightly toast raisins for 30 seconds to plump up, set aside to garnish rice later.
- In same frying pan, heat 1 tablespoons of oil and fry cubed lamb until cooked, then set it aside.
- In a large cooking pot on medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of oil, lightly sauté́ the onions until soft and light golden brown. To the pot, add, peas, washed rice, cooked meat and spices and mix to combine.
- Add 3 cups of water and bring a light boil, then reduce heat to low and cook for 12-15 minutes or until rice is cooked and no remaining water on bottom of pot. Remember not to mix rice while its cooking. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before emptying onto platter or large wide bowl.
- Garnish with remaining peas, toasted almonds, pine nuts, raisins. Enjoy
