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Irio
Irio
Irio is mashed sweet potatoes with peas and corn. That simple. Nothing less. Nothing more. But what really stands out in this starchy side dish is the use of Asian sweet potatoes. Instead of the orange ones that you’re used to seeing, these potatoes have a purplish skin with white flesh. When peeled, they look like a normal russet. Hey also have the same starchiness of a russet. But they are as sweet as can be. I actually like them better than the orange sweet potato. With the peas and corn mixed in with a wedge of butter, irio is one of the best potato side dishes I’ve eaten in a while.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs asian sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1/2 cup peas
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Simmer the potatoes for 10 minutes until fork tender. Drain the water.
- Add the butter to the bottom of the pot and allow to melt. Using a potato masher, roughly smash the potatoes. Season with salt and paprika.
- Mix in the corn, peas, and parsley.
Beef Kafta
Beef Kafta
Every country in the Middle East has their version of this recipe; whether it is called kofta, kefta, koobideh, or kafta. Lebanese beef kafta consists of heavily seasoned ground beef formed into oval shaped patties, not formed onto skewers, and are either grilled or broiled. The kafta are served with Lebanese rice, pita, and a salad.
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 1/2 medium onion diced
- 2 tsp 7 spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place the onions and parsley in a food processor. Pulse until everything is finely chopped.
- Mix together all of the ingredients.
- Turn on your oven’s broiler. Portion out the beef into 6 portions. Shape into a flattened oval shape. Place the kafta on a rack on a baking sheet lined in foil.
- Broil the kafta for 5-6 minutes a side.
Lebanese 7 Spice
In the Arabic world, the word “baharat” translates to spices. Lebanese 7 spice is referred to as baharat, as the word is used interchangeably. The spice blend consists of allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, cloves, and nutmeg. Other variations of the spice can include cardamom, paprika, ginger, and ground fenugreek seeds. 7 spice is used in numerous dishes such as beef kafta, stuffed grape leaves, rices, stews, and much more.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp allspice
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Mix all of the spices together.
Macaroni Bechamel
Macaroni Bechamel
Egyptian-style macaroni bechamel is influenced by the the Greek version that we know as pastitsio. With Greece being across the Mediterranean Sea from Egypt, it makes complete sense. This ultimate comfort food consists of macaroni tossed with a bechamel sauce. It is layered in a baking dish, with the center being a tomatoey ground beef layer. The whole dish is topped with more bechamel and is then baked in the oven.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 lb macaroni prepared according to package directions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Bechamel
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 large egg beaten
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat up cooking oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Sauté the onions for 5 minutes.
- Add in the ground beef and brown for 8 minutes.
- Mix in the tomato paste and chili powder. Cook for 4 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream. Whisk away any lumps of flour.
- Season with thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until the bechamel thickens. Take off the heat. Whisk in the beaten egg. Set aside.
- Mix half of the bechamel with the cooked macaroni.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9”x13” baking dish. Pour in half of the macaroni.
- Spread the ground beef evenly over the top.
- Place the rest of the macaroni over the top.
- Pour the rest of the bechamel over the macaroni.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
