Daoud Basha

This is an irresistible meatball filled with spices and cooked in tomatoes. An amazing combination over rice. Daoud Basha is popular all over the Middle East.

2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 onion, diced
1 bay leaf
1 black lemon
3 tablespoons sunflower oil
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup water

1. In a large bowl add meat, pine nuts, tomato paste, salt, pepper, allspice and paprika. Blend together well with hands. Make meatballs into the size of grapes.

2. In a 4-quart saucepan on medium-high heat add oil and fry onions until tender. Add meatballs and fry until golden. Add tomato sauce, water, black lemon and bay leaf. Allow Raise heat to high allow to come to a full boil then reduce to medium heat for 20 minutes. Serve with white rice.

Yields: 4 servings