Lebanese Syrian Bazella Recipes

LEBANESE/SYRIAN BAZELLA

Steps:

• Cut onion in to small pieces. Do not mince or chop too finely, but at the same time, do not cut or chop too coarsely. Set aside.
• Wash carrots and cut them into 1/4" thick pieces. Basically, you don't want them too thin or they will disintegrate into the broth. You can peel them if you prefer, before cutting. Set aside.
• In a large frying pan, brown the meat with some seasoning salt and pepper. Add the onion and some olive oil from the bottle. Make sure all the meat is brown. Set aside.
• In a stew pan, fry the 3 tbsp of tomato paste in the 1/4 cup olive oil for about 5-8 minutes. If it seems dry-looking, add a small amount of extra oil at a time. It should look chunky in the oil, not runny like soup. Stir constantly, it will burn very fast!
• Reduce the heat, add first 2 cups of water. Stand back, it may spit at you! Keep adding until all 6 cups have been added. Add the soup cubes. Let this boil for 5 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the pan, making sure all of the tomato paste mixes in the water.
• Add the meat, carrots and peas. Allow to come to a boil (takes about 5 minutes) then reduce heat to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to your taste. Cook until meat is tender. Cooking time depends on the quality of meat.
• Serve with Middle Eastern rice.
• Extra water may be added to counter-act any saltiness or if too much evaporated out while cooking.
• Cooking times may vary depending on stove type. Just keep on eye on it and never walk away from cooking food! Stainless steel or a non-stick pan may be used. I prefer non-stick. This may also be transferred to a large crock pot and set on low. Yield depends on how much water is allowed to boil out, but pretty much it makes a lot! Count on leftovers if you're not having people over.

LENTILS WITH NOODLES, ONIONS AND TOMATOES: SYRIAN RISHTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 5-qt nonstick Dutch Oven and saute the onions and garlic over low heat, stirring constanly for 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft and begin to brown. Stir in the lentils and add the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Then stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, hot pepper flakes, cumin, allspice, coriander, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until the lentils are soft but hold their shape.
• Meanwhile, boil and drain the pasta. Transfer the lentils and pasta to a large warm serving bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice and toss lightly. Serve hot.
• Note: Rishta or "threads" are thin, ribbonlike fresh homemade pasta.

BAZELLA (MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE BEEF CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• Heat the oil in heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and gently fry until golden.
• Add the braising steak and cinnamon, and fry for a further 3-5 minutes, stirring, until the meat is lightly browned. Transfer the contents of the frying pan to a casserole.
• Deglaze the frying pan with half the wine, and pour this mixture into the casserole.
• Add the tomato paste, water and remaining wine to the casserole. Stir in the bay leaf and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and season to taste.
• Place the casserole in the oven and cook for 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Stir in the beans and cook for a further 10 minutes.
• Stir in the parsley just before serving.
• Ladle into serving dishes and garnish each dish with a parsley sprig.
• Serve with good crusty bread.

LEBANESE/SYRIAN FASOULIA

Steps:

• Brown meat in a large frying pan with some olive oil from the bottle. Add season salt if desired or use regular salt and pepper. Make sure all pieces of meat have been browned. Set aside.
• In a stew pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil and the tomato paste. Fry the tomato paste about 5-8 minutes. If it seems dry, add more oil in small amounts. It should be chunky in the oil, not runny like soup. Stir constantly! This will burn very easily.
• Turn down the heat, add 2 cups of water. Stand back, it may spit at you! Continue to add the water in 2-cup increments. Add the boullion cubes. Stir around and scrape the bottom of the pan to make sure all tomato paste is mixed in the water.
• Add the lima beans and the meat. Bring to a boil (should take about 5 minutes) then reduce to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste. Depending on the quality of the meat, it may take 2-4 hours for the meat to become tender.
• Add more water if too much boils out or it is too salty.
• Serve with Middle Eastern rice.
• This can be prepared in a stainless steel or non-stick pan. I prefer non-stick. Additionally, it may be transferred to a crock pot to simmer all day. Never leave food cooking on the stove unattended!

ARABIC CHICKEN WITH LEMON & THYME

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients (but chicken) for marinade.
• Marinade chicken at least an hour (up to overnight).
• Place chicken in baking dish.
• Bake 1 hr at 350, then broil 15 min or until golden brown.