[Contents]

2 lbs. ground, beef or lamb

1 1/2 cups sliced onions

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/2 Cup samneh (or other shortening)

1/4 Cup pine nuts

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

1 1/2 CupS water

Grind meat several times through fine blade of meat grinder. (In Lebanon the meat is struck in a mortar with a pestle until it becomes quite pasty.) Mix meat and seasonings together well, using the hands to achieve a smooth blend. Form the meat into small balls the size of marbles. Fry until brown in the hot samneh or other fat. Add sliced onions and pine nuts. continue to fry gently until well sauteed. Add tomato paste diluted with the water. Simmer until meat is well done. Serve with rice. Serves 8 persons.

(From Food from the Arab World Marie Karam Khayat and Margaret Clark Keatinge, Khayat's, Beirut 1959)