Dawood Basha (Lebanese Meatball Stew)

Dawood Basha (Lebanese Meatball Stew)

This a Lebanese dish, that I do at least once a month, designed to serve 4 people. This version includes pre-cooking the meatballs in an Airfryer and incorporating potatoes and tomatoes into the stew.

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

500 grams ground beef

1 small onion, finely grated

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the stew:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes

4 tomatoes, diced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup water or beef broth

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Use an ice cream scoop or your hands to shape the mixture into meatballs of equal size. Preheat your Airfryer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place the meatballs in the Airfryer basket and cook them at 180°C (356°F) for about 10-12 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through. Set aside.

2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste to the pot. Stir well and cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes start to break down.

3. Add the potatoes to the pot, followed by the ground cumin, ground coriander, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat the potatoes and spices evenly. Pour in the water or beef broth, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

4. Gently add the pre-cooked meatballs to the stew, ensuring they are submerged in the liquid. Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

5. Serve the flavorful Dawood Basha stew hot, accompanied by rice or warm pita bread. Enjoy the delicious combination of tender meatballs, potatoes, and tomatoes in this traditional Lebanese dish!

Tip: You can adjust the cooking time of the meatballs in the Airfryer based on your desired level of doneness. Ensure they are cooked through before adding them to the stew.

Enjoy!