Rice Mold with Minced Meat, or Ozi

Ingredients

• 250 g minced meat
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt 1/4 teaspoon
• Black pepper 1/4 teaspoon
• Mixed spices 1/4 teaspoon
• Rice:
• 2 cups basmati rice (washed, soaked, and drained)
• 3 cups water
• 2 cups cooked peas and diced carrots
• Black pepper 1/2 teaspoon
• Ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon
• Fine cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt 1/2 teaspoon
• Turmeric 1/4 teaspoon
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• For the topping:
• 1/4 cup toasted almonds
• Toasted cashews and pistachios - optional, to taste
• For more from Fatima, here is Grilled Eggplant with Vegetables
• Also from Fatima, here is Fried Meat Pies

Method

1. Bring water to a boil in a pot over the heat and add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and turmeric
2. When the water boils, add the drained rice, stir and leave it on the heat until the water boils again, then reduce the heat and cover the pot after placing a cloth designated for rice under the lid
3. Leave the rice to cook on low heat until done
4. Meanwhile, place the minced meat in a wide skillet over medium heat and stir a little before adding the finely chopped onion
5. When the meat changes color, add oil, spices, salt and black pepper and sauté until the meat is cooked and the filling is ready
6. Add the boiled peas and carrots to the meat and stir for just an additional 5 minutes, then turn off the heat
   Timers: 5 min
7. By this time the rice has cooked; pour a small amount of it into a bowl (shape of the bowl as desired) and press down slightly with a spoon to level the rice surface
8. Then add a portion of the minced meat and vegetable filling over the rice and level the surface as well
9. Repeat the same steps again: distribute a layer of rice then a layer of filling and press slightly with the spoon on the surface to level it
10. Invert the bowl (mold) onto a serving plate and garnish with nuts, i.e., toasted or fried nuts
11. Serve the rice mold with meat alongside salad, plain yogurt, and roasted chicken
12. Fatima Zahwi Ghamloush
13. For more from Fatima, here is the roasted eggplant with vegetables
14. Also from Fatima, here are the fried meat patties