1 lb. ground round
1 lg. or 2 med. onion
1 1/2 c. uncooked rice
1 c. slivered almonds
1 c. golden raisins
1 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 to 3/4 tsp. pepper
salt to taste
5 tbsp. butter for frying, divided usage
2 chicken bouillon cubes

Grate onion over paper plate or into bowl so as not to lose the juice. (Can also chop fine in processor using 1-cup water.) Measure onion and juice plus enough water to measure 3 cups and 3 tablespoons. Place this in saucepot used to cook the rice and begin to heat.

Meanwhile, fry rice in 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet, stirring constantly until golden brown. Add to onion liquid along with bouillon cubes and bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook 20 minutes.

In fry pan used for rice, fry almonds in 2 tablespoons butter, stirring constantly over low heat until golden brown; remove. Fry raisins in 1-tablespoon butter over low heat, stirring constantly until plumped; remove.

Brown ground beef, drain and crumble. Add spices to beef and continue to brown for a couple of minutes.

Add cooked rice, fried raisins and almonds to meat and blend well.

Taste and correct seasoning.

Serves 8-10.

Author's Note: An Egyptian/American woman taught this recipe to me while we were both living in Saudi Arabia where our husbands were working for Westinghouse. Recipe looks harder than it is!

Submitted by: Toga Party