Levantine Buttered Fattah

Ingredients

• 4 cups (400g) cubed bread 4 cups (400g) cubed bread
• 1 lb (450g) lamb or chicken, diced 1 lb (450g) lamb or chicken, diced
• 4 tablespoons clarified butter 4 tablespoons clarified butter
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish Chopped parsley for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Spread the cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden and crispy, about 10 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of clarified butter over medium heat.
4. 4.
   Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
5. 5.
   Add the diced lamb or chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides.
6. 6.
   Sprinkle the ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, salt, and pepper over the meat and stir well to coat.
7. 7.
   Pour in the lemon juice and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
8. 8.
   In a separate small saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of clarified butter.
9. 9.
   Remove the meat from the skillet and set aside.
10. 10.
    Arrange half of the toasted bread in a serving dish.
11. 11.
    Place the cooked meat on top of the bread.
12. 12.
    Pour the melted butter over the meat and bread.
13. 13.
    Top with the remaining toasted bread.
14. 14.
    Garnish with chopped parsley.
15. 15.
    Serve immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bread — To achieve the perfect texture, use slightly stale bread or toast it in the oven until crispy before assembling the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with roasted vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers.
• Add a sprinkle of sumac or toasted pine nuts for an extra burst of flavor.
• Serve with a side of yogurt or tzatziki sauce for a refreshing contrast to the richness of the dish.
• Experiment with different spices such as paprika or turmeric to customize the flavor profile.
• Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or enjoyed cold as a delicious next-day meal.

Serving advice

Levantine Buttered Fattah is best served immediately after assembling to ensure the bread remains crispy. Serve it as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad or as part of a larger spread of Levantine dishes.

Presentation advice

To present this dish beautifully, arrange the layered bread and meat in a shallow serving dish, allowing the golden toasted bread to peek through. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a pop of color.