Lebanese Hashweh (Spiced Rice with Ground Meat and Nuts) Recipe

Introduction

Lebanese Hashweh is a fragrant and flavorful spiced rice dish combined with ground meat and toasted nuts. This hearty meal brings warm spices and a delightful nutty crunch to your table, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef (or lamb)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts and slivered almonds
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Step 2: Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 4–5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add ground beef and chopped garlic. Cook while breaking up the meat until browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Stir in cinnamon, allspice, cumin, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes to blend the spices into the meat.
5. Step 5: Add the basmati rice and stir for about 2 minutes to lightly toast it in the seasoned mixture.
6. Step 6: Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil.
7. Step 7: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
8. Step 8: Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
9. Step 9: Fluff the rice gently with a fork.
10. Step 10: Transfer to a serving platter and top with toasted pine nuts, almonds, and chopped parsley.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute ground meat with sautéed mushrooms or lentils and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• To deepen the nutty flavor, toast the pine nuts and almonds yourself in a dry skillet before adding them.
• Adjust the spice levels by adding a pinch of cayenne or more cinnamon according to your taste.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if the rice feels dry.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of rice?

Basmati rice is preferred for its aroma and texture, but you can substitute with long-grain rice. Adjust cooking time as needed since different varieties absorb liquid differently.

Can I prepare Lebanese Hashweh ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare it a few hours ahead. Keep it covered and warm or refrigerate and reheat before serving. Fluff the rice again after reheating to restore its texture.

Lebanese Hashweh (Spiced Rice with Ground Meat and Nuts) Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 110 reviews

• Author: Harper
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Lebanese Hashweh is a flavorful spiced rice dish cooked with ground beef or lamb, infused with aromatic spices like cinnamon, allspice, cumin, and nutmeg, and topped with toasted pine nuts and slivered almonds for a delightful crunch. This traditional Middle Eastern recipe is perfect as a hearty main or side dish and takes only 30 minutes to prepare.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef (or lamb)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts and slivered almonds
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Heat the Oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables and meat.
2. Sauté Onion: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until translucent, about 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
3. Cook Ground Meat: Add the ground beef and finely chopped garlic. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
4. Add Spices: Stir in ground cinnamon, allspice, cumin, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook the spiced meat mixture for 1–2 minutes to fully release the flavors of the spices.
5. Toast Rice: Add the basmati rice to the pot and stir well to coat the grains with the meat and spices, toasting lightly for about 2 minutes for enhanced flavor.
6. Add Broth and Boil: Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth and stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.
7. Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and let it simmer undisturbed for 20 minutes to cook the rice perfectly.
8. Rest the Rice: After cooking, remove the pot from heat and keep it covered for 5 minutes to allow the rice to steam and settle.
9. Fluff Rice: Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, separating the grains for a light and airy texture.
10. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the rice mixture to a serving platter and sprinkle with the toasted pine nuts, slivered almonds, and chopped fresh parsley for a beautiful and delicious finish.

Notes

• For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or lentils.
• Make sure not to lift the lid during simmering to preserve steam and ensure perfectly cooked rice.
• To toast the nuts, place pine nuts and almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat and stir frequently until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
• This dish pairs well with a side of fresh cucumber-tomato salad or yogurt for a complete meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Lebanese

Keywords: Lebanese Hashweh, Spiced Rice, Ground Meat with Rice, Middle Eastern Rice Dish, Basmati Rice with Meat and Nuts