The following story happened a few years ago during a vacation in Turkey. While in Turkey, I had a chance to have a Lebanese hummus with ground beef for the first time, and ever since, this dish reminds me the magical vacation we had.
My spouse and I enjoyed an evening stroll through the labyrinthine streets of Istanbul on a warm summer night. Scents of exotic spices and sizzling meats wafted through the air, tickling our nostrils and fueling our hunger.
We arrived at a tiny restaurant with a bright red “Lebanese Food” sign hanging above the entrance. With anticipation, we followed our noses, eager to indulge in the unique aromas of the restaurant.
We decided to make our entrance without any hesitation and when a friendly Lebanese woman with an inviting smile and strong accent welcomed us warmly. We made our way to the corner of the room, where a small inviting table awaited us. In addition, the aroma of sizzling meat and freshly baked bread was incredibly tantalizing. She invited us to sit there and savor the delicious scents around us.
As we examined the menu, the owner suggested her signature dish: a traditional Lebanese concoction of smooth hummus covered with succulent ground beef and accompanied by warm, soft pita bread. She explained that her family had passed down the classic recipe from Lebanon through generations.
As a result, my spouse and I were completely irresistibly drawn towards the alluring temptation, so much so that we could not help but place our order without hesitation. While we patiently anticipated our meal, we had the opportunity to witness an impressive display of belly dancing by a remarkably talented dancer. Her body movements almost seemed to choreograph in harmony with the mesmerizing, traditional Middle Eastern music that filled the air. Her graceful and skillful maneuvers were truly captivating, leaving us all in awe of her remarkable talents.
The succulent Lebanese hummus with ground beef finally arrived at our table, and it was even more tantalizingly delicious than we had ever envisioned. Moreover, we were truly delighted by its exquisite flavor and texture, surpassing all of our expectations. The delicious hummus had a delightful smooth and creamy consistency, with a subtle hint of lemon and garlic. In addition, they seasoned the ground beef to perfection and cooked it until it was tender and juicy. We relished every bite, enjoying the scrumptious combination of flavors and textures that each mouthful provided. Consequently, not one morsel remained; we savored everything down to the last drop!
Once we consumed our shared dish, the owner approached our table to inquire whether we would appreciate the hummus-ground beef recipe; which we undoubtedly welcomed. She exceedingly complied and generously gave us both the components and guidelines required.
Here is the recipe for the delicious Lebanese hummus with ground beef that we enjoyed in Istanbul:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- 1/2 cup tahini
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Pita bread, for serving
How to make the Lebanese hummus with ground beef?
- Start off with the preparation of hummus: Begin the procedure by washing and soaking chickpeas in water for 8 hours or even overnight before hand.
- With a generous amount of water, place the chickpeas in a large pot and bring it to a high boiling heat. After boiling them, you’re set to cook them. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 1-2 hours, or until the chickpeas become tender. Simmer the mixture in order to soften the chickpeas.
- After rinsing the chickpeas, transfer them to a food processor. Now add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to create the perfect blend. Process until you achieve a blending of the contents, gradually adding water as needed to form an ultra-fine grain with the ideal consistence, is necessary.
- Heat the olive oil in another pan over medium heat, adding the ground beef and breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the beef becomes brown.
- Cook the onion and garlic in the pan until the onion has become translucent – add both to the pan, stirring until desired texture is achieved.
- Stir together cumin, paprika, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and black pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. This adds an amazing blend of spices to the dish.
- On a platter or large plate, the hummus can be spread evenly. Topped off with some spiced ground beef mixture, of course. Enjoy this delicacy with warm pita bread on the side.
After a satisfying dinner out, we had full bellies and content hearts as we departed the restaurant. The evening was made special with the hummus and ground beef that had been prepared according to the recipe from a generous Lebanese woman. We are extremely grateful for her generous gesture!
We set off from Istanbul inspired to regenerating our own version of the mouth-watering Lebanese cuisine after having experienced intense appreciation for it. Every time we prepare it, it’s like a mini-vacation to that phenomenal evening in Istanbul – warmth, food and an unforgettable belly dance performance. The memories of that sultry summer night linger on.
In conclusion, I highly recommend that you try this recipe at home. While it’s not a difficult recipe, it will award you with lots of compliments and admirations from your friends and family. Enjoy!
