Mombar is one of the traditional and famous dishes in Eastern cuisine, and it is a popular dish in the Arab world and the Middle East in general. Mombar is distinguished by its unique taste, which combines the flavor of meat, herbs, and spices. It is made from a mixture of minced meat (usually beef or minced lamb) and rice, along with aromatic herbs such as parsley, coriander, and dill. The mixture is seasoned with distinctive spices like cumin, black pepper, and cinnamon, giving Mombar an irresistible taste. This mixture is stuffed into animal intestines (mombar) and is slowly cooked in boiling water or fried until it becomes golden brown and crispy. It is usually served with tomato sauce or yogurt. Due to its great taste and health benefits, such as boosting immunity and improving digestion thanks to its content of vitamins C and A and beneficial spices, Mombar is considered an important part of Eastern culinary heritage and is proudly served on special occasions and family gatherings to delight guests and family.
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of cleaned mombar
- 2 cups of Egyptian rice
- 2 chopped onions
- 3 cloves of mashed garlic
- 1 cup of chopped parsley
- 1 cup of chopped coriander
- 1 cup of chopped dill
- 1 red hot pepper (chopped, optional)
- 2 cups of tomato juice
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1/2 cup of oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried coriander
- 1 teaspoon of seven spices
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- A pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
- A pinch of dried mint (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Boiling Mombar:
- Boiling water
- 1 carrot
- 1 tomato
- 1 onion
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cardamom pods
- 2 bay leaves
- A pinch of salt and black pepper
Preparation Method:
- In a large bowl, place the washed and drained rice, then add the tomato juice and tomato paste to it.
- Add the parsley, coriander, and dill to the mombar mixture in the bowl, then stir the mixture with all the mentioned spices.
- Add the oil to the mombar mixture and stir well until the ingredients are well combined.
- Hold the mombar and gently stuff it with the mixture, and when you're done stuffing, tie it with string, leaving about 2 cm at each end.
- Place the mombar in the boiling water and simmer for an hour, then remove and set aside.
- In a deep pan, heat the oil over medium heat and add the stuffed mombar, turning it until it is golden and crispy on all sides.
- Remove the fried mombar from the oil and sprinkle with a mixture of salt, cumin, pepper, chili, and dried coriander.
Optional Additions:
- You can add some chopped onion and garlic to the heated oil and sauté them before adding the mombar to enhance the flavor.
- The dish can be served with tomato sauce or yogurt to improve the taste.
Health Benefits of the Ingredients:
- Mombar: Contains proteins that help in tissue building and improving muscle health.
- Egyptian Rice: An excellent source of carbohydrates that provide energy to the body and contribute to digestive health.
- Onion: Contains antioxidants that strengthen immunity and reduce inflammation.
- Garlic: Helps lower blood pressure and improve heart health due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties.
- Parsley: Rich in vitamin C, which boosts immunity and helps fight free radicals.
- Coriander: Contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, promotes digestion, and alleviates stomach bloating.
- Dill: Contains fiber that helps improve digestion and relieve intestinal cramps.
- Hot Red Pepper: Contains capsaicin, which improves blood circulation and aids in fat burning.
- Tomato Juice: Rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Spices (Dried Coriander, Seven-Spice Mix, Cumin): Stimulate digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce inflammation.
- Cinnamon: Helps regulate blood sugar levels and improve blood circulation.
- Dried Mint: Enhances digestion and relieves gas and bloating.
All these ingredients contribute to overall body health, improve digestion, strengthen immunity, and add a rich flavor to the mombar.
Nutritional Values and Calories:
Mombar (100 grams):
- Calories: Approximately 250-300 kcal (varies by cooking method)
- Proteins: 10-12 grams
- Fats: 20-25 grams
- Carbohydrates: 5-8 grams
- Fiber: 0.5-1 gram
- Vitamins: Contains Vitamin A and Vitamin B12
Egyptian Rice (100 grams):
- Calories: 130-140 kcal
- Proteins: 2.5 grams
- Fats: 0.3 grams
- Carbohydrates: 28 grams
- Fiber: 0.4 grams
- Vitamins: Contains Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Onion (100 grams):
- Calories: 40 kcal
- Proteins: 1.1 grams
- Fats: 0.1 grams
- Carbohydrates: 9.3 grams
- Fiber: 1.7 grams
- Vitamins: Contains Vitamin C and Vitamin B6
Garlic (100 grams):
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Proteins: 6.4 grams
- Fats: 0.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 33 grams
- Fiber: 2.1 grams
- Vitamins: Contains Vitamin C and Vitamin B6
Parsley (100 grams):
- Calories: 36 kcal
- Proteins: 3 grams
- Fats: 0.8 grams
- Carbohydrates: 6.3 grams
- Fiber: 3.3 grams
- Vitamins: Rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A
Coriander (100 grams):
- Calories: 23 kcal
- Proteins: 2.1 grams
- Fats: 0.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 3.7 grams
- Fiber: 2.8 grams
- Vitamins: Contains Vitamin C and Vitamin K
Dill (100 grams):
- Calories: 43 kcal
- Proteins: 3.5 grams
- Fats: 0.8 grams
- Carbohydrates: 7.6 grams
- Fiber: 2.1 grams
- Vitamins: Contains Vitamin C and Vitamin A
Hot Red Pepper (100 grams):
- Calories: 40-50 kcal
- Proteins: 2 grams
- Fats: 0.4 grams
- Carbohydrates: 9.5 grams
- Fiber: 1.5 grams
- Vitamins: Contains Vitamin C and Vitamin A
Tomato Juice (100 grams):
- Calories: 18-22 kcal
- Proteins: 0.9 grams
- Fats: 0.2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 4 grams
- Fiber: 1.1 grams
- Vitamins: Rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A
Tomato Paste (100 grams):
- Calories: 82-90 kcal
- Proteins: 4.5 grams
- Fats: 0.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 20 grams
- Fiber: 2.5 grams
- Vitamins: Contains Vitamin C and Vitamin A
Spices (Dried Coriander, Cumin, Seven-Spice Mix) (100 grams):
- Calories: 300-350 kcal
- Proteins: 15-20 grams
- Fats: 10-15 grams
- Carbohydrates: 60-65 grams
- Fiber: 25 grams
- Vitamins: Contains Vitamin A and Vitamin K
Notes:
- The ingredients provide a variety of vitamins and minerals that support immunity, enhance digestion, and improve skin and eye health.
- The fiber in these ingredients aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness.
- Nutritional values may vary depending on the amount of oil used in cooking or the preparation method.