Description
A fragrant and comforting saffron rice bake layered with warmly spiced meat, tender eggplant, and a lightly crisp golden top.
Ingredients
- For the spiced meat filling:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 750 g lamb or beef mince
- 2 1/2 tablespoons baharat spice mix
- 2 teaspoons cumin powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 small eggplant, cubed
- 1 1/2 cups water
- For the saffron rice:
- 3 cups basmati rice
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling)
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
- 2 tablespoons boiling water
- 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For layering:
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
- Yogurt or lemon yogurt sauce (for serving)
- Fresh coriander (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and grease a baking dish.
- Toast pine nuts in a dry pan for 1 minute and set aside.
- Heat oil in a pan, cook onion and garlic until soft. Add mince and cook until browned.
- Add baharat, cumin, salt, cayenne, and tomato paste. Stir well.
- Add eggplant and water, simmer for about 8 minutes until thickened.
- Soak saffron in boiling water for 5 minutes.
- Boil rice in salted water for 5 minutes, then drain.
- Mix yogurt, saffron water, eggs, olive oil, and salt. Fold in rice.
- Spread half the rice in the baking dish, add meat filling, and sprinkle pine nuts.
- Top with remaining rice and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 50 minutes until golden and crisp on top.
- Rest for 10 minutes, then serve with yogurt and herbs.
Notes
- Beef can replace lamb for a milder flavor.
- Use imitation saffron if needed for color.
- Swap pine nuts with almonds for crunch.
- Assemble ahead and bake later for convenience.
- Drizzle oil before baking to prevent dryness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
