Bazella w Riz
A heartwarming Middle Eastern comfort staple featuring a rich, spiced green pea and carrot stew in a savory tomato broth, perfectly paired with fluffy white basmati rice.
45 min
Easy
Libanesa
4 servings
The story behind
You have absolutely no idea how incredibly cozy and satisfying this dish is! The very first time I experienced an authentic bazella w riz was at a family dinner hosted by a close friend of Lebanese descent. The moment I walked through the door, the aroma of Lebanese seven spices and sizzling garlic completely won me over. His mother told me with so much pride that this dish ('bazella' means peas and 'riz' means rice) is the ultimate childhood comfort food in Lebanon—the kind of homestyle recipe that moms whip up during the week because it is highly nutritious, rustic, and yields enough to feed a huge crowd. Personally, I absolutely love cooking this on a rainy afternoon when you just need a culinary hug for your soul. It tastes phenomenal if you keep the rice beautifully fluffy and scented with a touch of cardamom. To drink, a cold glass of mint-cucumber water or a hot cup of black tea balances the rich savory layers beautifully. You are going to love it from the very first bite.
Instructions
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1In a medium pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat and sear the tiny cubes of beef until nicely browned on all sides (if using meat).
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2Toss in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and the Lebanese seven spices, stirring constantly for two minutes until highly fragrant.
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3Pour in the tomato purée along with a cup of water, cover the pot, and let it simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes to build a rich, thick sauce base.
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4Fold the green peas and the whole green chili into the pot, simmering uncovered for another 10 minutes until the veggies are fully tender and the stew is well combined.
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5While the stew is bubbling away, prepare the basmati rice in a separate pot with a touch of olive oil, water, and a pinch of salt, cooking covered over low heat until fluffy and loose.
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6Take a flat white dinner plate and spoon the fluffy basmati rice so that it occupies exactly the left half of the plate.
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7Ladle the hot, vibrant green pea stew onto the right half of the plate, placing the whole green chili right along the dividing line to perfectly mirror Bazella w Riz.png.
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