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Veggie-Packed Hawawshi: A Flavorful Middle Eastern Delight

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Veggie-Packed Hawawshi is a savory Middle Eastern dish featuring a spiced ground beef or lamb filling, combined with fresh vegetables and aromatic spices, all stuffed into pita bread and baked until crispy. This easy-to-make dish is a perfect option for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

For the Filling:

1 pound ground beef or lamb

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons tahini

2 tablespoons olive oil

For Assembling:

4–6 large pita breads

Olive oil for brushing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling:
    • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (or lamb), chopped onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, minced garlic, and parsley.
    • Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, ground cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and optional chili flakes.
    • Mix in the tomato paste, tahini, and olive oil, and stir thoroughly until everything is well combined.
  2. Stuff the Pita Bread:
    • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
    • Cut each pita bread in half to create pockets.
    • Stuff each pita pocket with the prepared meat mixture, pressing it down to spread the filling evenly throughout the bread.
  3. Bake the Hawawshi:
    • Place the stuffed pita breads on a baking sheet.
    • Brush the outside of each pita pocket with olive oil to help it crisp up during baking.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden and crispy, and the filling is fully cooked. Turn the pitas halfway through baking for even cooking.
  4. Serve:
    • Remove the hawawshi from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
    • Serve hot with a side of yogurt, tahini sauce, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Vegan Option: Use plant-based meat or crumbled tempeh instead of ground beef or lamb for a fully vegan version of this dish.

Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy heat, add extra chili flakes or a spicy harissa paste to the filling.

Cheese Lover’s Twist: Add some crumbled feta or shredded mozzarella cheese to the filling for extra flavor and creaminess.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://chocolatecoveredamy.com/veggie-packed-hawawshi/