Syrian Spinach and Beef stew (Sabanekh w Riz)

In Arabic, this dish is called Sabanekh w Riz – which translates to spinach and rice. It’s a hearty, nutritious and wholesome meal made with simple inexpensive ingredients and mostly eaten in winter. While it is often served with beef, you can make it vegan by serving it with chickpeas.

Spinach has been a versatile and commonly used vegetable in Syria. Eating and preparing spinach is simple and easy, since it tastes good raw or cooked. It can be easily incorporated into many dishes. It is easy to serve raw spinach in salads or sandwiches or as a complement to soups, meat, fish, or other vegetable dishes.

Spinach is an extremely nutrient-rich vegetable. It packs high amounts of carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron, and calcium, and it prevents cancer, and reduces blood pressure levels.

Ingredients

2 kg spinach, thoroughly cleaned and coarsely chopped

500 g finely ground meat

2 onions, finely chopped

2 tablespoons raw pine nuts

1 cup water

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons salt

Preparation

1-Place a deep pot on high heat, heat the vegetable oil and fry the onions until golden.

2-Add the pine nuts to the onions then add the meat and brown it. Add salt and pepper. Stir well. 

3-Add the spinach and water to the pot. Leave on medium heat for 30 min. Stir occasionally. If needed add more water. 

4-Turn off the heat and pour the lemon juice over the spinach.

5-Once served with lemon juice and salt to taste, and served with vermicelli rice.

Lara Khouli