Dawood Basha (Middle Eastern Meatball Stew)
I am sure we all grew up with various meatballs served for dinner. Meatballs seem to me in almost every culture in some shape or form. The one I enjoyed goes by the name Dawood basha. These Middle Eastern-flavored meatballs braised in a tomato sauce are so delicious with rice for a complete meal. I love adding potatoes to the dish to make it even heartier. In actuality, Dawood Basha is basically kofta kebabs shaped into meatballs. What makes this extra special is that tangy tomato sauce is cooked in with pomegranate molasses. That truly elevates the dish!
These meatballs require no eggs or breadcrumbs or even hours of simmering. As a result, It is quite simple to put together! These can be made with ground beef or ground lamb or, even better a combo of both. The variation I am sharing is just using ground beef, preferably 85/10, because of the fat it lends.
For the tomato sauce, I use fresh tomatoes that I puree myself. However, you can definitely use a can of store-bought tomato puree to do the trick. In addition, potatoes offer more sustenance to the dish. You can even top it with toasted pine nuts to add crunch! This is best served with warm vermicelli rice or fresh pita bread, whatever you prefer.
If you try the Dawood basha, please consider leaving a rating below and/or a review in the comments section. I’d love to hear from you and see your creations on my Instagram page.
Dawood Basha
Ingredients
Meat Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- Handful of Parsley
- 1 Onion, quartered
- 4 Garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp All Spice seasoning
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
Potatoes
- 2 Potatoes, diced
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Tomato Sauce
- 3 Semi-ripe tomatoes, cubed
- 3 Garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp Pomegranate Molasses
- 1.5 tbsp Tomato Paste
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 tsp All spice seasoning
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- Vegetable Stock enough to submerge the meatballs
Instructions
- In a food processor, add the parsley, onions, and garlic then pulse until salsa like.
- Add this to the ground beef along with the seasonings listed. Mix together very well. Create 15 even meatballs.
- In a pan, add the olive oil then sear the meatballs on both sides until lightly browned on medium heat. The meatballs are not meant to cook fully at this stage; just get some nice color.
- Set aside once that is achieved. Go ahead and toss the potatoes with a tad more oil in the same pan. Season with salt and pepper. Get a nice crust on them and cover with a lid until they are semi-tender. Then, set those aside as well.
- Puree the tomatoes in the food processor. In the same pan, add olive oil along with the onions and garlic. Saute until fragrant then add the tomato puree, pomegrenate molasses, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and all spice.
- Stir together for a few minutes then add the meatballs on top with the potatoes.
- Add enough vegetable stock to submerge the meatballs halfway. Bring this to a simmer for 20 minutes covered then uncover for 15 min to slightly thicken the sauce. Enjoy with rice or even pita bread!
This recipe has become a family favorite in my home. I always have the simple ingredients on hand and it’s just too easy to put together to create a delicious fulfilling dinner!
I am so happy to hear that, Debra!
Super good!
Made this after you posted it on Instagram the other day. It was great! Followed the recipe as written and the family thought it was delicious.
I am happy the whole family enjoyed it!
Whats it like to use seven spice instead of all spice?
It will not make much difference. You can alternate between the two.
If i wanted to add more sauce, would I double the sauce in the pan with the meatballs or create a separate batch and pour it over after the fact?
You can really do either. Whatever is easier for you.
I tried this recipe a few weeks ago and it went down a treat with my husband and I 😍 Such a delicious recipe, packed with flavour…and I wouldn’t expect any different because so far every recipe I have tried from Heifa has been amazing!
Thanks so much, Jenna!
This is such an easy weeknight recipe!! Had to end up using canned crushed tomatoes because I was out of fresh, but with the addition of the pomegranate molasses & allspice you couldn’t even tell the difference!
I do that too when I don’t have fresh and it works just as well! I am happy you enjoyed this meal!
So hearty and delicious alhamdillah. Very easy, simple recipe. Perfect comfort food dish in my opinion.
Thank you!
Tried this and my family and I loved it! The recipe was easy to follow and everything turned out delicious
Thanks, Dana. I am happy the whole family enjoyed it.
Thank you for the recipe. I made this yesterday and it was so delicious! My family loved it and it was so quick and easy! Definitely making it again especially during the busy weeknights.
I am thrilled to hear that, Lena!
I tried this today and it was delicious! My dad who is not easy to please with food loved it! The recipe was very easy to follow and make, and it did t take much time. Can’t wait to try more recipes!
I made this for dinner and it was so good. The pomegranate and allspice is subtle and so enticing. I could put that sauce on a lot of different things. Thanks.
I am so happy you enjoyed the flavors! Thanks for the great review.
Absolutely delicious!
Thanks, Christina!
Delicious recipe. Always a hit w the hubs and kids!
Thanks, Hagar!
Made this once before and planning on making it again today!! Such a delicious recipe mashalah. The pomegranate molasses is a yummy touch
Thanks so much!