Egyptian Hawawshi

https://youtu.be/Qx3OTWfQfbQ?si=KmQ6B4DcIjhO2NHB

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EGYPTIAN HAWAWSHI

Yield 8

Prep time

25 Min

Bake Time

20 Min

Total time

45 Min

Egyptian hawawshi is a popular street food made by stuffing seasoned lahma into pita bread and baking it until golden and crispy. The filling is packed with onions, peppers, garlic, and warm spices that give it its signature flavor. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, hawawshi is a beloved comfort food enjoyed throughout Egypt.

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Ingredients

For the Filling:

• fresh parsley
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 green bell pepper
• 2 jalapeños
• 6 garlic cloves
• 2 pounds 80% lean ground beef
• smoked paprika
• ground coriander
• sea salt
• black pepper

For the Hawawshi:

• 4 pita breads, thicker with pockets
• olive oil

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables:

1. Add fresh parsley to a food processor.
2. Add 1 roughly chopped yellow onion, 1 green bell pepper, 1 jalapeño with the seeds for optional heat, and 6 garlic cloves.
3. Blend the vegetables for 10–15 seconds.
4. Pause the food processor and push down the sides.
5. Repeat the process until the vegetables are finely chopped.
6. Transfer the vegetables to a strainer or cheesecloth.
7. Squeeze out any excess juices.

Make the Lahma Filling:

1. Add the vegetables to a large mixing bowl with 2 pounds 80% lean ground beef.
2. Season the mixture with smoked paprika, ground coriander, ground cumin, sea salt, and black pepper.
3. Mix everything together thoroughly.

Assemble the Hawawshi:

1. Slice each pita bread in half and open the pocket.
2. Fill each pita with the seasoned lahma mixture.
3. Press down the lahma so it sits evenly and flush with the opening.
4. Place the hawawshi on a baking sheet fitted with a rack.
5. Brush both sides of the pita with olive oil.
6. Bake the hawawshi at 400°F for 15–20 minutes.
7. Flip the hawawshi halfway through the baking time.

Serve:

1. Serve Egyptian hawawshi hot and fresh out of the oven.
2. Pair the hawawshi with homemade tahina sauce for dipping.

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