Recipe: Sultan Resat Rice (Sultan Resat Pilavi)

SULTAN RESAT RICE
(SULTAN RESAT PILAVI)

2 1/4 cups long grain rice, washed and drained
hot water
1/4 stick butter
3 1/2 cups chicken stock or water
8 oz ground beef or lamb
1 bread slice, crusts removed, crumbed
1 onion, chopped fine
1 Tbsp margarine
1 Tbsp tomato paste
salt and ground black pepper

Soak the rice in hand-hot water, allow to cool, and drain.

Heat the butter in a saucepan, pour in the stock, and bring to a boil. Add the rice, cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.

Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes more, until the liquid is absorbed. Keep warm.

Knead the ground meat with the bread crumbs and onion. Take walnut-size pieces of the mixture and, with wet hands, roll into balls.

Heat the margarine in a skillet and fry the meatballs evenly. Add a generous cup water, stir in the tomato paste, and season to taste. Cover and cook until the meatballs are tender.

TO SERVE:
Place the rice in a serving dish, make hollow in the center, and pour in the meatballs and sauce.