Daoud Basha

Daoud is Arabic for David and Basha is a Turkish Ottman class title equivalent to Lord. This title was given to high ranking personnel in the Ottoman political system like governors and army generals. Dawood Basha was a nobleman in the Levant and the dish was invented in his kitchen.

Daoud Basha dish is meatballs cooked in tomato sauce and served with rice or bulgur in the Levant country, while it is served with pasta in Europe.
Ingredients:
For the kafta balls:
1- 500 g. ground beef or lamb, or a mix of both
2- ½ cup parsley leaves, finely chopped
3- 1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
4- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
5- A dash of all spice
6- A dash black pepper
For the tomato sauce:
1- 3 large onions, quartered
2- 3 large tomatoes, peeled and diced
3- oil
4- A dash white pepper
5- 1 teaspoon tomato paste 2 1/2 cups water
6- 1 tablespoon butter
7- Salt to taste
8- 1/3 cup pine nuts
Directions:
1- In a bowl, mix the meat, onion, parsley, allspice, cayenne pepper and salt. (Squeeze the onion and parsley with the palm of your hands before adding it to the meat, ridding it of the excess fluids).
2- Divide the meat into portions, about the size of an apricot. Gently roll each portion between your palms, creating round shaped balls. Set aside.
3- Add oil to a wide skillet and roast the pine nuts over medium heat, stirring constantly until golden in color. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
4- Add the meatballs in batches to the same skillet and sear the balls on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the meatballs with a slotted spoon and set aside.
5- Saute the onions, in the same skillet, to translucent.
6- Add the diced tomatoes and salt and cook over medium heat until the tomatoes start wilting, about 5 minutes.
7- Pour the water and add the tomato paste. Stir to incorporate.
8 – Sprinkle the white pepper and cayenne pepper. Return the meatballs to the skillet and bring the mixture to the ball. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the toasted pine nuts and serve it with plain rice or rice and vermicelli.

If you are a pomegranate molasses lover, drizzle a dash over your plate.

You might also like
Latest news
Al-Dahhak: Security Council's failure to fulfill its responsibilities encourages Israeli occupation ... ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant over war crimes Two Syrian films participate in the first session of the Fayoum Film Festival in Cairo   Gaza Media Office: The Israeli occupation committed four brutal massacres after the Security Council... 22 martyrs as a result of Israeli air raids on a number of Lebanese regions With Syria’s participation, Arab aviation institutions discuss enhancing cooperation and exchanging ... President of the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan: The West's hostile stance against Syria and Russ... Putin discusses with Iraqi PM the unprecedented escalation in Middle East Palestinian Foreign Ministry: Politicizing aid deepens famine in Gaza  A Workshop on the situation of the financing market for micro and small-sized enterprises next Satur... Syrian men's basketball team will meet its Bahraini counterpart in the second stage of Asian Cup qua... Iranian official: Anti-Iran resolution in Third Committee of General Assembly is a political and ill... Palestinian Resistance: The massacre committed by the Israeli occupation in Beit Lahia is a result o... Nicaragua condemns Israeli aggression on Syrian city of Palmyra Syrian-Iraqi talks to enhance work and coordination in environmental protection field Sabbagh, Ghalibaf hold talks in Tehran United Nations renews rejection of "Israel" imposing its laws on occupied Syrian Golan Two people martyred in Israeli raids on the towns of Rumin and Beit Lilf, Lebanon 66 Palestinians martyred in new Israeli massacre in Jabalia Nebenzia: Washington's use of veto against the resolution to stop aggression is inhumane