Lebanese-Inspired Brown Rice Pilaf with Lamb, Vermicelli, and Green Beans

This is a really colorful, fragrant, and delicious rice dish. In the recipe I used lamb, but it could just as well be made with beef or chicken (or vegetarian). The only difference(s) from the recipe pictured and the one listed below is that I also added a pinch of turmeric to the rice with the other spices, and a handful of green beans a few minutes before it was finished cooking. I hope you try this; it is really easy to make and super-delicious. For additional Lebanese/Middle Eastern inspired recipes, click here.

 

Lebanese Lamb-and-Rice

Makes 4-6 servings

3 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound lamb, diced

4 ounces diced onion

2 ounces vermicelli, broken into pieces

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

3/4 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups long grain brown rice

3-4 cups hot chicken broth

2 tablespoons minced parsley

Heat the olive oil over high heat in a heavy-bottomed pan. Sauté the lamb then remove it from the pan and set aside. Add the onion and vermicelli to the pan and cook until golden, then add the garlic and cook another minute or two. Add the cinnamon, cumin, allspice, and salt; sauté two minutes while stirring. Add the onions and pasta back to the pan along with the rice, stirring to fully coat it with with the oil and spices. Then add the lamb back to the pan along with the broth. Cover the pot with a lid. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 35 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Remove the pot from the stove and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with minced parsley.

Urban Simplicity.