9 Occasions When Arabs Serve Mansaf

posted on: Oct 3, 2016

BY: Adriana Murray/Contributing Writer 

Mansaf is a dish worthy of cooking at nearly any occasion. This historic dish has been used by generations of Bedouins and Arabs to quite literally bring a large group of people around one huge round tray called Sidir. As the national dish of Jordan, mansaf has grown to become a popular meal for times when the whole family is together. It is prepared with lamb, rice, pita bread, yogurt, and pine nuts, and contributes to Jordan’s rich culture. The large round tray is symbolic of communal style sharing with others in both the Jordanian and greater Arab cultures. Here are the nine occasions you can count on Arabs to serve Mansaf:

1.There’s a Wedding

On the big wedding day, or the day earlier, someone in your family, or extended family would be in the kitchen all morning because it won’t be complete without a large platter of mansaf to literally feed your entire family?

via GIPHY

2. Graduation Parties

Graduation is always a time for celebration, but the real fun starts with the graduation party. There is no better way to celebrate your accomplishments than by sharing them with your friends and family over mansaf.

via GIPHY

3. When the kids come home to visit

Parents love when their children come to visit so it’s no surprise there will be so much food spread across the table. Although the table will be filled from end to end with delicious treats, Mansaf will definitely be at  the center.

via GIPHY

4. When you forget to buy vegetables at the grocery store

.

Forgot the vegetables at the grocery store? No problem, mansaf is coming right up. This hearty meal is not the healthiest, but since you’ve only got rice, yougurt, and lamb, might as well make the best of the ingredients

via GIPH

5.There’s Kishek at home

Kishek can be hard to find in the United States, but when you are able to get your hands on it, prepare for a night of deliciousness!

via GIPHY

6. Holiday Season has arrived

Mansaf can be cooked any day, but holidays are an especially good time to serve up this food favorite. Holidays like Easter, Christmas, Eid-al Adha, Eid Al-Fitr, and Thanksgiving are popular times to feature mansaf as one of the main dishes on the menu.

via GIPHY

7. Baptisms

Like holidays, religious occasions such as baptisms or communions are also popular celebrations to serve mansaf because it feeds so many people.

via GIPHY

8. Funerals

Mansaf is traditionally served at Arab funerals, where the family of the deceased feeds their relatives, friends, and neighbors after the wake. Although a somber time, the dish helps to bring people together and find a little comfort.

via GIPHY

9. There’s a village to feed

.

“Feeding a village” is not just an expression for Arab families; sometimes, it’s a reality. When the whole village gets together, the best way to accommodate every mouth to feed is by serving up mansaf!

via GIPHY

Make your very own mansaf!

Recipe from Food.com

2 lbs lean lamb (1-1/2 inch cubes, beef can be substituted)
1⁄2 cup clarified butter (use samna or ghee if available, or make your clarified butter, see clarified butter note)
salt
pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 cups plain Greek yogurt
1 egg white
1 teaspoon pepper
1⁄2 teaspoon coriander (see spices note below)
1 1⁄2 teaspoons cumin
1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
1⁄4 teaspoon cardamom
1⁄2 cup whole blanched almond
1⁄2 cup pine nuts
4 -6 loaves pita bread (khubz, Arabic pita-type bread is used in Jordan)
3 cups rice, raw measure, cooked (Jasmine med grain or Basmati is good)
parsley or chives, chopped for garnish

1. Wash meat cubes and place in tray with lid. Cover meat with water, cover tray and place in refrigerator for 4-8 hours.
2. Melt 1/4 cup of the clarified butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Drain and pat dry meat cubes. Place in skillet and cook for 20 minutes until browned on all sides. Season meat with salt and pepper, to taste, and add enough water to cover meat. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 1 hour. Add onion and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. While meat and onion are cooking, place yogurt in a large saucepan and whisk over medium heat until liquid. Whisk in egg white and ½ teaspoon of salt. Slowly bring yogurt mixture to boil stirring constantly with a wooden spoon in one direction only to reach desired consistency. Reduce heat to low and allow yogurt to softly simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
4. Stir yogurt into meat and add seasonings as desired. Simmer gently for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, as needed.
5. In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the remaining 4 tablespoons of clarified butter. Add almonds and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in pine nuts and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
6. Split the khubz loaves open and arrange, overlapping on a large serving tray. Melt the last remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and brush over the khubz to soften. Arrange rice over the khubz leaving a well in the center of the rice. Spoon the meat into the rice well and then spoon the butter and nuts over the meat. Sprinkle parsley or chives over top.