Description
Enjoy a warm and comforting Lebanese Spinach Stew, featuring tender ground beef, flavorful spices, and vibrant spinach, perfect for cozy nights in. This hearty stew blends aromatic 7 Spice seasoning with fresh lemon and toasted pine nuts for an authentic Middle Eastern taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound Lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons 7 Spice (for authentic flavor)
- 2 teaspoons Salt (divided)
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Crushed red pepper
Vegetables and Herbs
- 20 ounces Frozen spinach (Two 10-ounce bags)
- 5 cloves Garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup Cilantro (chopped)
- 1 juice Lemon
Oils and Broth
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil (for sautéing)
- 3 cups Chicken broth
Garnish
- â…“ cup Pine nuts (toasted)
Instructions
- Toast Pine Nuts: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once warm, add the pine nuts and toast them until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the pine nuts from the pot and set aside for later use as garnish.
- Brown the Beef: In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the lean ground beef and cook, stirring to break it apart. Season the beef with 2 teaspoons of 7 Spice, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the beef and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the frozen spinach, continuing to cook for 4-5 minutes until the spinach is fully thawed and well integrated with the beef mixture.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in the 3 cups of chicken broth, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for a few minutes until flavors meld together.
- Season the Stew: Add the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and crushed red pepper to the stew. Stir in chopped cilantro and squeeze the juice of one lemon over the stew. Mix well and taste to adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the stew hot, garnished generously with the toasted pine nuts for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with a plant-based mince or add chickpeas for protein.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the crushed red pepper to your preference.
- Use fresh spinach if available; just reduce cooking time since fresh spinach wilts faster than frozen.
- Toast pine nuts carefully as they can burn quickly; stirring frequently helps even toasting.
