Mazza Bishurba:

This is a hearty soup made with lamb shanks. It is a yummy dish that takes a little long to prepare, but it is worth it!

Ingredients Needed:

• Lamb shanks-4
• Finely diced onion-1 (large)
• Baharat-1 tablespoon
• Peeled and chopped tomatoes-1 ½ cups
• Dried lime (loomi)-1
• Cinnamon bark-2 small pieces
• Basmati rice-1/4 cup
• Oil-2 tablespoons
• Salt and freshly-ground black pepper
• Lemon-1 (cut into half)

Method Of Preparation:

1. After washing the shanks, place them in a large soup pot and add water.
2. Take the loomi and pierce both sides and add it to the pot.
3. Let it simmer slowly over medium heat and skim often as the scum appears.
4. When it has been well-skimmed and almost boiling, cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for half an hour.
5. Now, take a frying pan and fry onions gently in oil until they become transparent.
6. Add the spices and let it fry for 3 minutes more.
7. Add this mix to the soup along with tomatoes and salt and pepper. Put on the lid and let it simmer for 1 ½ hours.
8. Next, remove the cinnamon sticks and loomi and discard them. Take out the shanks and trim the meat off.
9. Cut the meat into pieces and put them back in the pot of soup.
10. Now clean and wash your rice thoroughly and add it to the soup.
11. Cover again and let it simmer until you find the rice adequately tender (for about 30 minutes).
12. Now that the dish is ready, you can serve it with khoubiz, or flat bread. Squeeze the juice of the halved lemon to add some zest and enjoy!