Fattah (egyptian Layered Bread Dish)

Ingredients

• 4–6 pieces pita bread
• 2 cups rice
• 500 grams lamb
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup yogurt
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• to taste parsley and mint leaves

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Tear the pita bread or flatbread into bite-sized pieces.
3. Spread them in an even layer at the bottom of a baking dish.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice and cubed cooked lamb or beef.
5. Season with ground cumin, ground paprika, salt, and black pepper.
6. Mix well to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
7. Spread the rice and meat mixture over the layer of torn bread in the baking dish, creating an even layer.
8. In a separate bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, yogurt, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt.
9. Pour the tomato-yogurt sauce over the rice and meat layer, covering it evenly.
10. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
11. Bake for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the flavors meld together.
12. Remove the fattah from the oven.
13. Let it cool slightly.
14. Garnish the fattah with chopped fresh parsley and mint leaves.
15. Serve the fattah warm as a main dish or as part of a larger meal.