Today, we are trying Iraqi stuffed onions. Individual layers of cooked onion are wrapped around a fragrant combination of spiced lamb, couscous, nuts and golden raisins and served with tomato sauce and thick yoghurt on the side. It is a slightly time-consuming recipe, but it serves approximately 8 to 10 people and makes for delicious leftovers.
If you don’t have more exotic ingredients such as sumac spice, substitute for nutmeg or allspice, or the pomegranate molasses, then use one tablespoon of date or regular molasses. It is also easy to omit the lamb in this stuffed onions recipe to make it vegetarian.
Aromatic Iraqi Stuffed Onions With Lamb and Couscous
These stuffed onions are a must-try if you love Middle-Eastern cuisine. It's an easy dish you can try if you love onions as well.
Ingredients
4 large white onion
1 pound ground lamb (minced lamb)
2 tablespoons tomato paste- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
1 tablespoon honey- ¼ cup golden raisins
¼ cup almonds - sliced- ⅓ cup pistachio nuts - shelled
½ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger - minced- 1 cup couscous
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
2 teaspoons cilantro (coriander)- 1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoons ground allspice (also called pimento or Jamaican Pepper)
1 cup chicken stock (chicken broth or chicken bouillon)
2 cups passata or crushed tomatoes (tomato puree with seeds removed)- 2 teaspoons sumac
Instructions
- Peel the skin from the onions and cut off the top and bottoms. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil and add the whole onions. Let it simmer on medium-low heat for 30 minutes. Drain the water and allow the onions to cool.
- Brown the lamb in a pan over high heat. Lower the heat and add the tomato paste, harissa, honey and nuts. Stir over low heat for a couple of minutes, add the spices and turn off.
- Combine the couscous with the pomegranate molasses and spices. Mix with the lamb mixture of keep separate for a vegetarian option.
- Slice each onion halfway through the middle and peel off 5 to 6 layers large enough to fold over 2 tablespoons of stuffing. Roll the stuffed onions and place them side by side in a baking dish. Mix the tomato sauce and broth before pouring it over the onions.
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and sumac. Serve with a small bowl of yoghurt on the side as a dipping option.
Nutrition
Calories: 773kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 33gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 572mgPotassium: 1268mgFiber: 10gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 492IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 164mgIron: 6mg
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