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Lebanese Kousa bi Laban (Stuffed Zucchini in Yogurt Sauce)

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Tender Lebanese-style meatballs in a fragrant tomato sauce with potatoes, served over rice—a comforting and hearty Middle Eastern dish perfect for family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (lean or mix of lean and fatty)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs or 1 slice soaked bread, squeezed dry
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped (for sauce)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes or 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth or water
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
  • 3 cups water or broth (for cooking rice)
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix ground beef with onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Form into walnut-sized meatballs.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
  3. In the same pot, sauté additional chopped onion and garlic until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste, cook briefly, then add diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, broth, salt, and pepper.
  4. Return meatballs to the pot, add cubed potatoes, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 20–25 minutes until meatballs and potatoes are tender and sauce thickens.
  5. Meanwhile, rinse rice until water runs clear. Combine rice and water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15–18 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with fork and let rest.
  6. Serve rice on plates, topped with meatballs, potatoes, and sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro.

Notes

  • For richer flavor, mix ground beef with lamb.
  • Chill meatballs briefly before browning to help them hold shape.
  • Substitute potatoes with carrots or zucchini if preferred.
  • Use crushed tomatoes or add a splash of red wine for deeper sauce flavor.
  • Great for meal prep—flavors deepen after a day in the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: Dawood Basha, Lebanese meatballs, tomato sauce meatballs, Middle Eastern beef dish, rice and potatoes, halal comfort food

Find it online: https://yumcove.com/lebanese-kousa-bi-laban-stuffed-zucchini-in-yogurt-sauce/