My Lubia Chala With Kefta

ElizabethAuthorAKAHajar's Note:

This is classic Moroccan home fare! It is a mix of fresh green beans with tomatoes, seasonings and kefta (ground meat), beef in this case. You can also omit the beef for a wonderful vegetable dish as we often do. We use a communal platter and flat bread to eat it with for this meal. This is pronounced as an "sh" as are all words beginning with "ch" here and is the word for hair. This is *absolutely not* meant to be a spicy dish, as most Moroccan food is not spicy anyway. Lubia chala are always a comfort food and meant to be flavorful yet retaining the full flavor of the beans; this is the food of every day. If you want spicy, visit Tunisia who has a love affair with the hot pepper, Morocco does not. c.\2006

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1⁄8; teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, mashed to a puree or 3 garlic , minced finely
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes , I use fresh in season
• ¾ lb green beans , trimmed and cut in half
• 1 cup diced carrot (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions:

1. Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, 2 minutes. Add beef; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 3 minutes, stirring, until no longer pink.
2. Add garlic and spices; cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes, green beans and carrots; cover skillet and bring to boil.
3. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 15 minutes, stirring once. Stir in lemon.
4. Make sure that the green beans are soft, no crisp green beans are served here! I have also done this recipe with canned green beans and have found it to be very good and a good way to have green beans out of season. Use 2 cans if using canned beans.

Reviews

[Elielia]

This has become a staple in my kitchen. Everybody loves it. My kids call it "Moroccan Hamburger Helper". It is easy to make, goes with any kind of grain or bread, and beats the heck out of anything from a box. We love it. (stick to the exact recipe and you will not be disappointed!)

[awalde]

Fist I thought that this was a meatball recipe with green beans and carrots in tomato sauce.
At the end I%u2019ve decided to change the recipe: I really prepared meatballs adding the same spices and some more ingredients, but I%u2019ve used your recipe as base. It was delicious.
Thanks for the inspiration!

[UmmBinat]

I added 1 tsp Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix, the result was alright but I don't think I will make this again. I did not add the carrots and added an extra clove garlic. I used tomato paste and water for the tomatoes. I do recommend eating this with a thick flat bread, not rice.