Skip to main content

Lahma bi Ma’ala

A homely Egyptian dish using beef. Serve with rice or potatoes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

1 pound onions, coarsely chopped
2–3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds best stewing beef, chuck or top rump, cut into 1 1/4-inch cubes
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 pound tomatoes, skinned and chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large skillet, fry the onions in the oil, over low heat, until golden, stirring occasionally. Add the meat, and turn the pieces to brown them all over. Add salt, pepper, and allspice, the tomatoes and tomato paste, and water barely to cover.

    Step 2

    Simmer gently for 1 1/2–2 hours, until the meat is very tender, covered to begin with, adding a very little water from time to time and letting it reduce at the end. Add parsley towards the end.

  2. Variations

    Step 3

    For a Moroccan flavor, season with 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, and a good pinch of chili powder.

    Step 4

    For the Tunisian mirmiz, fry a sliced green bell pepper, cut into ribbons with the onions, and put in a small hot dried chili pod or two.

    Step 5

    Add a 14-ounce can of chickpeas or navy beans, drained, towards the end.

Cover of Claudia Roden's The New Book of Middle Easter Food, featuring a blue filigree bowl filled with Meyer lemons and sprigs of mint.
Reprinted with permission from The New Book of Middle Eastern Food, copyright © 2000 by Claudia Roden, published by Knopf. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.
Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Chicken breasts reach their full potential in this spicy, saucy stir-fry with blistered green beans.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
The secret to extra-fluffy stack? A splash of cold, bubbly seltzer.