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Baharat-Spiced Beef and Butter-Toasted Pine Nut Rice Bowls

Baharat-Spiced Beef and Butter-Toasted Pine Nut Rice Bowls

By Courtney HillOctober 17, 2023

  • Makes
    4 servings
  • Cook Time
    25 minutes
  • Rating

These rice bowls are inspired by hashweh, a classic Lebanese meat and rice dish that’s garnished with toasted nuts. Tomato paste is a secret weapon here—cooking it until caramelized builds on its umami richness and adds great depth of flavor. Dill does its part, too. We mince the stems and cook them into the meat mixture; the leaves, chopped and sprinkled onto the bowls, add freshness. Baharat is a Middle Eastern spice blend that’s savory yet sweet, with lots of warm, earthy notes. If not available, a mixture of cumin and cinnamon is a fine substitute. Ground lamb is excellent in place of the beef.

Ingredients
  • 4

    tablespoons salted butter, cut into 4 pieces

  • ¼

    cup pine nuts OR sliced almonds

  • 1

    pound 85 or 90 percent lean ground beef OR ground lamb OR a combination

  • 2½

    teaspoons baharat OR 2 teaspoons ground cumin plus ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

  • 3

    tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1

    tablespoon minced fresh dill stems, plus ½ cup roughly chopped leaves, divided

  • About 6 cups freshly cooked rice

Step 1

In a 12-inch skillet over medium, melt the butter. Add the pine nuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, 1½ to 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the nuts to a small bowl; set aside.

Step 2

Return the skillet to medium-high and add the beef, baharat, ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook, breaking the meat into small bits, until little pink remains, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and dill stems; cook, stirring, until the mixture is browned and begins to stick to the pan, about 3 minutes. Stir in ¾ cup water and cook, stirring and scraping up any browned bits, until the mixture is saucy, about 2 minutes. Off heat, taste and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Divide the rice among 4 serving bowls. Spoon on the beef mixture, then sprinkle with the pine nuts and chopped dill.

Step 4

Optional garnish: Plain whole-milk yogurt OR ground sumac OR lemon wedges OR a combination