Selq Meshi

Tender Swiss chard leaves rolled and stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, minced lamb, and aromatic spices. Slow-cooked until succulent, offering a delicate texture and a rich, home-style flavor.

🥄 Ingredients

• 1 kg Swiss chard
• 4 cups Egyptian rice or any short-grain rice
• 1 kg lamb
• 3 tomatoes, blended
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 bunch chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon seven-spice mix
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons ghee
• Ingredients for the broth:
• 1 kg lamb bones
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 liters boiling water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon citric acid or the juice of 5 lemons
• 1 tablespoon dried mint

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preparing the Swiss Chard: Swiss chard is a very delicate plant, so it shouldn't be boiled. Instead, chop the leaves and arrange them in a deep bowl. Pour hot water over them and cover for an 1 hour. This will cause them to wilt but remain firm, making them easy to roll.
2. While the Swiss chard is wilting, soak the rice in blended tomatoes and set it aside until you start rolling.
3. Preparing the Filling: Place the rice in a plastic bowl and mix it with the meat, seven-spice mix, tomato paste, and a cup of water until it's moist and cooked through inside the Swiss chard. Start rolling the Swiss chard leaves like cabbage rolls. There's no need to seal the ends. If there's an edge, you can fold it inwards. Note that Swiss chard leaves are large, so cut each leaf into small pieces according to your preference. Don't make them too long, as Swiss chard is fragile and can break easily when someone is eating it. It's best to roll them thick and short.
4. For the broth: Before starting to roll the rice, prepare a suitable pot and place the bones, tomato paste, seven-spice mix, and garlic at the bottom. Then begin rolling the rice, layering it on top of the bones until you have finished.
5. Pour boiling water over the rice after placing an upside-down plate on top to prevent it from shaking while boiling and spilling out during cooking.

🌹 Decoration

Garnish the stuffed dish with slices of green pepper or radish.