Beef Kabsa is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that merges aromatic spices with tender beef and fluffy rice. This flavorful meal is a celebration of texture and taste—perfect for a family gathering or a cozy dinner. While it may seem complex, this recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
🥩 1 to 2 pounds beef, cut into small cubes
🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt
🌿 2 1/2 tablespoons Kabsa spice mix
💧 1/2 cup water
🫒 2 tablespoons oil
🌶️ 1 red pepper, sliced
🟢 1 green pepper, sliced
🧅 1 large onion, sliced
🧂 1/2 tablespoon chicken bouillon
🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Rice:
🍚 2 cups basmati rice
🧅 1 small onion, chopped
🧄 1 clove garlic, minced
🍅 1/2 tomato, chopped
🫒 4 tablespoons oil
🌿 1 1/2 tablespoons Kabsa spice mix
🧂 1 1/2 tablespoons chicken bouillon
🌶️ 1/2 tablespoon curry powder
🌕 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
🧂 1/2 tablespoon salt
💧 2 1/2 cups water
🌰 Fried almonds (optional for garnish)
Instructions
1- Prepare the Beef:
- In a pressure cooker, combine the beef cubes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 tablespoons Kabsa spice, and 1/2 cup water. Cook on the meat setting for about 45 minutes.
- Once the beef is tender, remove it from the pressure cooker.
- In a pan over high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the cooked beef and fry for a couple of minutes.
- Add sliced red and green peppers, sliced large onion, 1/2 tablespoon chicken bouillon, 1/2 tablespoon Kabsa spice, and an additional 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
2- Prepare the Rice:
- Rinse and soak the basmati rice in water for about 20 minutes. Drain well.
- In a pot, heat 3 to 4 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped tomato, and sauté for a couple of minutes until softened.
- Add the drained rice to the pot, followed by 1 1/2 tablespoons Kabsa spice, 1 1/2 tablespoons chicken bouillon, 1/2 tablespoon curry powder, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, and 1/2 tablespoon salt.
- Pour in 2 1/2 cups water. Cover and cook on high heat until the water evaporates, about 10-12 minutes.
- Once the water is absorbed, lower the heat to low, cover with a lid (placing a paper towel underneath helps absorb excess moisture), and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
3- Serve:
- To serve, scoop the rice onto a large serving dish and top it with the beef and pepper mixture.
- Garnish with fried almonds if desired.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: Approximately 500 per serving
Nutritional Information per Serving:
- Protein: ~30g
- Fats: ~25g
- Carbohydrates: ~45g
Equipment: Pressure cooker, large pan, pot with lid
Cooking Tips
- For extra flavor, consider adding a bay leaf or cinnamon stick to the rice while it cooks.
- Adjust the spices to taste if you prefer a milder or spicier dish.
- Lamb or chicken can be used in place of beef for variety.
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