OUZI RICE POCKETS
Ouzi can be prepared in many different ways, and is perfect for gatherings! They can also be served as an appetizer or a main dish, but either way, these flaky, delectable baked parcels will surely be a hit!
INGREDIENTS
Puff pastry square sheets
Egg wash
1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and drained
250g ground beef
1/2 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 teaspoon saffron powder or turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/2 teaspoon Arabic all spice
Pinch of cinnamon powder
Pinch of nutmeg powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
PREPARATION
1. In a pot, cook the ground beef in vegetable oil over medium high heat until browned.
2. Season with salt and pepper and the rest of the spices.
3. Add the peas and pine nuts and continue cooking until the peas have softened.
4. Once the peas have softened, add the uncooked rice, and stir to incorporate it into the rest of the ingredients.
5. Cover with 1 and 1/2 cup of water, then allow it to come to a boil.
6. Once it starts to boil, reduce heat to low and cover for 15 to 20 minutes. Check around the 15 minute mark to assess whether it’s done or needs more time.
7. When it’s cooked through, fluff the rice mix with a fork and remove from heat.
8. Preheat oven to 205°C
9. Place about a tablespoon of rice mixture onto the centre of a puff pastry square and fold the edges, pinching them together in the middle.
10. Repeat with the rest of the sheets until the rice is all used, then brush the puff pastry pockets with egg wash to give them color when they bake.
11. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes until browned.
12. Remove from oven, serve with a side of yogurt cucumber dip.
Notes:
Jasmine rice works well if Basmati is not available. Usually, any long grain rice is a good option. However, if all you have is Egyptian, then you can always use that but reduce the water to 1 and 1/4 cup instead.
You could use any stock flavor to cook it with, as an alternative to water, to give it that extra punch.
You can add more vegetables to it, such as chopped carrots or onions.
You could substitute chicken to the beef, or make it vegetarian by opting out of using a protein.
