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    Home » International Vegetarian » Lebanese Stew

    Vegetarian Lebanese Stew and Rice | Bazella with Riz

    Published: Mar 10, 2015 · Modified: Jul 8, 2020 by Pavani · 8 Comments

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    Vegetarian Lebanese Stew is a hearty and delicious dish that is flavored with Baharat spice blend. Serve with simple vermicelli laced rice pilaf for a delicious meal.

    White bowl with Lebanese stew and a bowl with rice

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    Bazella is a classic Lebanese dish that is traditionally made with beef or lamb mince. It is flavored with aromatic spice blend called Baharat. This is a hearty and comforting dish to serve with rice.

    How to make Vegetarian Bazella

    To make this prominently meat based dish vegetarian, the meat needs to be substituted with plant-based protein. There are plenty of vegetarian/ vegan substitutes in the market right now that can be used in this recipe. Here are few of my favorite options:

    • Soy Granules aka TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) - usually found in bulk bins in health food stores.
    • Meatless Ground beef - I have used Gardein, Morning star (veggie crumbles), Yves brands and like them all.
    • Impossible beef/ Beyond Meat etc. - are the newest plant based meats in the market now.
    White bowl with vegetarian Lebanese stew

    This recipe is adapted from SBS Lebanese Stew.

    Baharat Spice Mix:

    Baharat literally means 'Spices' in Arabic. It is basically a blend of spices. It is similar to garam masala in India and the spices used change with the region and household. This is an all purpose seasoning used in the Middle Eastern cuisine.

    Ingredients needed for the recipe - White bowls with whole spices - coriander, cumin, allspice, peppercorn, cinnamon and nutmeg

    Baharat is an aromatic blend of warm and sweet spices. This spice blend adds a nice warmth and lot of flavor to the dish. For this recipe I used the following ground spices to make up the blend:

    • Allspice
    • Pepper
    • Cumin
    • Coriander
    • Cinnamon
    • Ground Nutmeg

    You can either make this at home (recipe included) or you can use store-bought one. Look for them at spice stores or online. Here is a Baharat spice blend that I really loved.

    Ingredients

    Here are the other ingredients you need to make this hearty and comforting stew:

    • vegetarian substitute - I used TVP. I have mentioned other plant based alternatives for you to pick from.
    • onion, garlic
    • carrot
    • green peas
    • tomato paste
    • vegetable broth/ water

    Instructions

    This is a delicious Lebanese stew that is easy to make.

    • If you are making the 'baharat spice blend', then start by making that. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
    • Then, prep your choice of plant-based meat. If you are using dried TVP, then you need to reconstitute it. Add hot water to TVP and set aside for 10~15 minutes. Drain and squeeze out the excess water. Set aside until ready to use.
    Side by side photos of dried TVP and reconstituted TVP
    • Heat olive oil and butter in a pan. Add onions, garlic and carrots to the pan and saute till onions are lightly browned around edges.
    • Add the baharat spice mix and mix well to combine.
    Step by step photos showing sauteed onions, carrot, garlic and addition of baharat spice
    • Next add the choice of protein or veggie/ bean substitute and saute till lightly browned.
    • Stir in tomato paste, salt and veggie stock (or water). Bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for all the flavors to mingle.
    Step by step photos of adding reconstituted TVP, tomato paste, vegetable stock to the onion mixture
    • Finally stir in the green peas and simmer for 2~3 minutes to heat them through. Serve hot!!
    Side by side photos showing the addition of green peas and simmering Lebanese Stew

    How to Serve

    It is traditionally served with vermicelli laced rice pilaf (recipe included below). Cooking the pilaf in butter and olive oil gives it a nice buttery flavor that goes very well with the stew.

    But it can be served with rice or yogurt flatbread. I made it for lunch on a cold day and it was very hearty and filling.

    Tips & Suggestions

    If you don't want to be bothered with all the fake meats out there, then here are a few options:

    • Chickpeas or White beans (cannellini or navy beans) coarsely mashed.
    • Cauliflower rice - process cauliflower florets until nice and fine.
    • Bulgur wheat - adds hearty texture to the dish.

    Leftover Stew

    This stew recipe is great to serve warm or at room temperature. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or freeze for up to 1 month.

    Few more Lebanese dishes that you might enjoy:

    • Vegetarian Moussaka
    • Mujadara (Rice & Lentil dish)
    • Namoura (Dessert made with Semolina)
    Bowl with vegetarian stew made with faux meat, carrots and green peas

    Vegetarian Lebanese Stew

    Vegetarian Lebanese Stew is a hearty and delicious dish that is flavored with Baharat spice blend. Serve with simple vermicelli laced rice pilaf for a delicious meal.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
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    Prep Time: 20 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Total Time: 50 mins
    Course: Main Course, Main Dish
    Cuisine: lebanese
    Servings: 4 Servings

    Ingredients

    Baharat Spice Blend:

    • ½ tsp Ground Allspice
    • ¼ tsp Ground Pepper
    • ¼ tsp Ground Cumin
    • ¼ tsp Ground Coriander
    • ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp Ground Nutmeg

    For Bazella | Vegetarian Lebanese Stew:

    • 2 tsp Olive Oil
    • 2 tsp Butter
    • 1 Medium Onion, finely chopped
    • 3 Garlic cloves, finely minced
    • 2 Medium Carrot, peeled and diced
    • 1 cup Soy Granules/ Meatless Beef etc. See Notes for more options
    • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
    • 1½~2 cups Veggie Broth or Water
    • 1 cup Green Peas, thawed if frozen

    Lebanese Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli:

    • 2 tsp Olive Oil
    • 1 tsp Butter
    • 1 cup Long grain Rice, rinsed and drained
    • ½ cup Vermicelli, broken (or thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta)
    • 2½ cups Water
    • To taste Salt

    Instructions

    Make Baharat Spice blend:

    • Combine all the ingredients for the Baharat spices in a small bowl and mix well.

    Make the Stew:

    • If using soy granules/ TVP, then they need to be rehydrated. Add 2cups of hot water to soy granules and set aside for 10~15 minutes. Drain and squeeze the excess water and keep aside.
    • Heat olive oil and butter in a pan. Add onions, garlic and carrots to the pan and saute till onions are lightly browned around edges.
    • Add the baharat spice mix and mix well to combine.
    • Next add the drained soy granules or your choice of plant based protein and saute till lightly browned, about 4~6 minutes.
    • Stir in tomato paste, salt and veggie stock (or water). Bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 8~10 minutes for all the flavors to mingle.
    • Finally stir in the green peas and simmer for 2~3 minutes to heat them through. Serve hot with rice.

    Make Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli:

    • Heat olive oil & butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Add the broken vermicelli and cook till it turns golden, about 3~4 minutes.
    • Next stir in the rice, water and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat, cover and simmer for 15~18 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the rice & vermicelli are cooked through. Let sit for 5 minutes before digging in.

    Notes

    My favorite plant based substitutes to use in this recipe:
    • Soy Granules aka TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) - usually found in bulk bins in health food stores.
    • Meatless Ground beef - I have used Gardein, Morning star (veggie crumbles), Yves brands and like them all.
    • Impossible beef/ Beyond Meat etc. - are the newest plant based meats in the market now.
    • Chickpeas or White beans (cannelini or navy beans) coarsely mashed.
    • Cauliflower rice - process cauliflower florets until nice and fine.
    • Bulgur wheat - adds hearty texture to the dish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 400kcal
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

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    Comments

    1. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      March 11, 2015 at 3:11 am

      love the baharat spice blend - now I know how to make myself

      Reply
    2. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      March 11, 2015 at 3:11 am

      love the baharat spice blend - now I know how to make myself

      Reply
    3. Diane Balch

      March 11, 2015 at 11:41 am

      What terrific seasoning...it is such a healthy cuisine. Thanks for being part of Food of the World. Pinned.

      Reply
    4. Rebecca Muhammed

      February 01, 2016 at 11:09 am

      YUM!! This look fantastic,I want to try this.Try other Lebanese cuisineshttp://www.nestle-family.com/english/lebanese-recipes.aspx

      Reply
    5. Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale

      March 25, 2020 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      The flavors in this looks incredible. I can't wait to make this for dinner. It is perfect for my Meatless Mondays rotation!

      Reply
    6. John

      April 04, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      I would like to add more vegetables to this. Can you suggest which extra vegetables might go well in this stew? Thank you in advance!

      Reply
      • cookshideout

        April 05, 2021 at 11:24 am

        Hi John, adding more veggies to this recipe is a great idea. You can add chopped peppers, spinach, cabbage, zucchini, green beans. Do let me know how you like this veggie version. Thank you.

        Reply

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