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Street Food

Hawawshi

The Quirky Foodster Team

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20 min
Prep
20 min
Cook

Ingredients

  • 400 g (14 oz) Ground beef
  • 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 medium Green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp Ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Ground chili flakes
  • 4 rounds Baladi bread or pita, split open
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable oil, for brushing
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
  2. Combine the ground beef, onion, green pepper, parsley, garlic, cumin, chili flakes, salt and pepper in a bowl
  3. and mix well.
  4. Split each round of flatbread open like a pocket.
  5. Stuff each bread pocket generously and evenly with the spiced meat mixture, pressing it flat inside.
  6. Brush the outside of each stuffed bread with oil and place on a baking tray.
  7. Bake for 18–20 minutes, flipping once, until the bread is crisp and the meat is fully cooked through.
  8. Cut into wedges and serve hot.

Introduction: Hawawshi is a beloved Egyptian street food of spiced minced meat baked between layers of flatbread until crisp, traditionally taken to a local bakery's hot oven by families and street vendors alike.

Cultural Background: Hawawshi is a beloved Egyptian street food of spiced minced meat baked between layers of flatbread until crisp, traditionally taken to a local bakery's hot oven by families and street vendors alike.

Tips: – Spread the meat filling thin and even so it cooks through fully by the time the bread crisps. Traditionally these were baked in a very hot bakery oven; a hot home oven or even a hot dry pan works well too.

Variations: – Ground lamb is a common substitute or addition to the beef. Some versions include a layer of sliced tomato inside for extra juiciness. Not vegetarian; built around ground beef, though a mushroom-lentil filling can substitute.

Storage: Best eaten fresh; can be refrigerated for 1 day.

Reheating: Reheat in a hot oven or dry pan for a few minutes per side to re-crisp.

Nutrition: Calories: 440 kcal | Protein: 26 g | Carbs: 30 g | Fat: 23 g | Fiber: 2 g

FAQs:

Q: What bread should I use for hawawshi?

A: Egyptian baladi bread is traditional, but any sturdy pocket pita will work.

Q: Can hawawshi be made in a pan instead of the oven?

A: Yes, cook it in a hot, lightly oiled pan over medium heat, pressing down and flipping until both sides are crisp and the filling is cooked.

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