Saucepans and Spices

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Stuffed vegetables MAHSHI

Shilpa Anand

MAHSHI is a dish of vegetables stuffed with ground beef and rice that are cooked in a tomato cinnamon and cumin sauce 

MAHSHI is one of the many dishes of ottoman origin that spread throughout the territory of the ancient empire, from the Balkans to Egypt to the Levant

In Egypt, this dish is present at all banquet tables for weddings etc esp during the month of Ramadan 

Meat is optional. I’ve used chicken mince instead 

INGREDIENTS FOR SAUCE 

  • 3tbsp oil

  • 1small onion, chopped

  • 1tbsp garlic, chopped

  • 2tbsp tomato paste

  • 2-3tomatoes, chopped or grated

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ tsp black pepper powder

  • ½ tsp cumin powder

  • ½ tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp paprika 

  • ½ tsp hot chilli powder( optional) 

  • ¼ tsp cinnamon powder

  • 2cups of boiling water

  • Pinch of sugar( optional) 

INSTRUCTIONS

  • HEAT oil in pan and sauté the onions and garlic powder for 2-3 mins 

  • Add tomato paste and fry for 1-2 mins

  • Add tomatoes and all the spice powders and continue to cook for few mins

  • Add boiling water and cover and simmer on low heat for 4-5 mins

  • Your sauce is ready 

INGREDIENTS FOR MAHSHI

  • 3tbsp oil 

  • 1small onion, chopped

  • 2tbsp garlic, chopped

  • 1 ½ pound of ground meat( beef or chicken) 

  • Salt to taste

  • 1tsp black pepper powder

  • 1tsp cumin powder

  • 1tsp paprika 

  • ½ tsp hot chilli powder ( optional)

  • 1tsp garlic powder

  • ¼ tsp cinnamon powder( this is a key ingredient )

  • 2tomatoes  chopped

  • ½ cup basmati rice soaked for 30 mins 

VEGETABLES

Bell peppers ( all colours) cored 

  • Potatoes halved and cored 

  • Onion, cored

  • Zucchini, cored 

INSTRUCTIONS

  • heat oil in a pan and saute the onions and garlic for few mins

  • Add ground meat and fry

Add all the spice powders and fry for 2-3 mins 

  • Add tomatoes and fry

Add water ( if required) to cook the mince

Consistency should be dry once fully cooked

  • Your delicious stuffing is ready 

  • Mix in the soaked rice and keep aside

ASSEMBLE

  • Preheat oven to 500 F or 260 c

  • Stuff the vegetables with the prepared stuffing

Place all the stuffed vegetables in an oven dish

Pour the prepared sauce into the dish

Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 30 -35 mins 

  • Remove foil and cook for another 20 mins

That’s it, your stuffed vegetable MAHSHI is ready

Enjoy with salad, rice and middle eastern bread

SPICE LEVEL:🌶