It is called sheikh el mahshi and also tatbila. The word sheikh implies that it is the grandest since it is all meat.

　　

Ingredients

to fill about 2 pounds of vegetables

　　2 tablespoons vegetable oil

　　1 onion, finely chopped

　　12 ounces lean ground lamb or beef

　　Salt and pepper

　　1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

　　1/3 cup pine nuts (optional)

　　

Step 1

Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the onion and fry gently until soft and transparent. Add the meat, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cinnamon or allspice, and stir, crushing the meat with a fork and turning it over, until it changes color. Moisten with a few tablespoons of water and cook gently for about 10 minutes, until the meat is tender.

　　

Step 2

Fry the pine nuts, if using, in a skillet in a drop of oil, shaking the skillet until lightly browned all over, and stir into the meat.

　　The New Book of Middle Eastern Food Copyright © 2000Knopf