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Hawawshi (Egyptian Meat Stuffed Bread) Recipe

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4.2 from 6 reviews

Hawawshi is a traditional Egyptian dish featuring Aish Baladi bread stuffed with a spiced ground beef mixture, then baked to golden perfection. This hearty and flavorful meat-stuffed bread makes a delicious main course that's perfect for sharing or enjoying as a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Meat Mixture

  • 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef, not lean
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 tomato, seeds removed and finely chopped
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, stem and seeds discarded, finely chopped
  • 1/2 jalapeño pepper (optional), stem and seeds discarded, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup (5 grams) fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Pinch ground cinnamon
  • Pinch freshly ground nutmeg

Bread & Finishing

  • 6 Aish Baladi Egyptian wheat flatbreads
  • Ghee or melted butter for brushing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped tomato, green bell pepper, optional jalapeño, chopped parsley, salt, and all the spices (allspice, paprika, coriander, black pepper, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg). Mix just until evenly incorporated without overworking the meat.
  2. Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and makes the meat easier to work with for stuffing.
  3. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400˚F (200˚C) to prepare for baking the bread after stuffing.
  4. Stuff the Bread: Carefully create a 2-inch (5 cm) slit on one side of each Aish Baladi flatbread. Fill each slit with about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the chilled meat mixture, pressing it down evenly inside the bread. Alternatively, cut the bread in halves and stuff each half with the meat mixture evenly.
  5. Brush with Ghee: Lightly brush both sides of each stuffed bread piece with ghee or melted butter. This helps in browning and adds richness while baking.
  6. Bake the Hawawshi: Arrange the filled breads on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Bake them in the preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes, until the meat is fully cooked and the bread turns golden and slightly crisp.
  7. Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Cut each stuffed bread into halves or quarters. Serve warm with traditional accompaniments like tahini sauce, fresh salad, fries, or pickled vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Make sure not to overmix the meat to keep the filling tender.
  • Adjust the spices to your taste, particularly if you prefer more or less heat by varying the jalapeño quantity or omission.
  • Using Aish Baladi bread is traditional, but pita or similar flatbreads can be substituted if unavailable.
  • Brushing with ghee helps the bread crisp up nicely and adds authentic flavor.
  • Allow the mixture to rest chilled as it improves flavor infusion and stuffing ease.
  • Ensure the meat is fully cooked before serving to guarantee food safety.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/hawawshi-egyptian-meat-stuffed-bread-recipe/