In a large bowl, combine the minced meat, finely chopped onion, bell pepper, and tomato.
Add the chopped parsley, cilantro, salt, black pepper, and cumin. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Egyptian Hawawshi (Meat-Stuffed Bread)
- Total time - 45 minutes
- Preparation - 15 minutes
- Cooking time - 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Country: Egypt
Hawawshi is a beloved comfort food in Egypt and a total treat. Its preparation is surprisingly simple, but the result is outstanding. This recipe is a great way to dive into the true taste of Egyptian street food. The key to perfect Hawawshi is a well-seasoned meat mixture and thoroughly cooking the bread so it becomes crispy on the outside while the meat remains juicy inside.
Ingredients
For the meat mixture
- 500 g minced beef or lamb
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 tomato, finely chopped
- 0.5 cups fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.5 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
For the Hawawshi
- 4 pita bread (baladi bread)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the meat mixture
Step 2: Stuff the bread
Carefully open each pita bread to create a pocket. Take a generous amount of the meat mixture and spread it evenly inside the pita, pressing it to the edges.
Step 3: Bake or grill
Brush the outside of the filled pita breads with oil or melted butter. You can either grill them in a pan (over medium heat for about 15 minutes per side, covered, to ensure the meat cooks through) or bake them in an oven (at 200°C / 400°F for about 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through). The bread should be golden and crispy and the meat fully cooked.
Alternatively, you can grill them over charcoal for an authentic smoky flavor.
Step 4: Serve
Cut the Hawawshi into wedges and serve immediately while hot. It is often served with pickles, tahini sauce, or a fresh salad.