Flavors: Lamb and Egyptian Rice With Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Peas/Green Fava Beans

I have included two versions here, since you can literally swap the peas for the beans if you like. Ruz wa bazela, how we know it in Palestine, was a childhood favorite of mine and still is. I love the meat-and-rice mixture with the spices and the peas, served with buttered pine nuts. We prefer the peas, but my mama loves the ful (fava beans). Try both and decide which is your favorite.

If using frozen fava beans, boil them in water for 25 minutes and drain. 

Heat the oil in a pan, add the ground lamb and cook for 5 minutes to brown. Add the salt, pepper and rice; stir to combine. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg and stir again. Add the water, bring to a boil and add the frozen peas or cooked fava beans. Cook, covered, over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. 

Meanwhile, in a separate pan, melt the butter and fry the pine nuts until golden. Keep a close eye on them, since they burn easily. Set aside. 

Spoon the rice into serving dishes, add the buttered pine nuts and serve with the yogurt dip on the side.

Reprinted with permission from Baladi Palestine,
Joudie Kalla, 2019, Interlink Books, 978-1-62371-981-4, $35 hb, www.interlinkbooks.com.