Syrian Ouzi – A Dish of Generosity, Comfort, and Celebration.
Ouzi (أوزي) has always had a special place in my heart. It’s one of those dishes that carries so many memories — of big family gatherings, laughter, and sometimes tears. In Syria, Ouzi isn’t just served at weddings and joyful occasions; it’s also shared at funerals and moments of sorrow. It brings people together in every season of life — a comforting meal that speaks of generosity, love, and care.
I still remember the smell of Ouzi filling our home — the warm spices, toasted nuts, and buttery pastry — always a sign that something meaningful was happening.
This royal Middle Eastern dish combines fragrant basmati rice, ground meat, peas, and carrots, wrapped in delicate filo pastry and baked until golden. Each pastry layer is generously brushed with melted ghee, imparting a rich aroma and a beautiful crispness. It’s a dish that connects me to home every single time I make it.
Ingredients 18
Ouzi
2 cups basmati rice
3 tbsp ghee, for cooking
0.5 kg onion, finely chopped
500 g lamb, ground
2 cups carrots, chopped
2 cups frozen green peas
1⁄2 cup almonds, fried
1⁄2 cup pine nuts, fried
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp mixed spices
3 tsp salt
3 cups beef broth, unsalted
1 cup ghee, melted, for brushing phyllo (filo) pastry
1 pack fillo pastry, chilled
Tzatziki Yogurt
1 kg Greek yogurt
1 cup cucumber, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried mint
salt, to taste
1⁄2 cup cold water
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Method 13
Rinse thoroughly and soak it in hot water for 30 minutes.
Melt the in a non-stick large pot. Sauté until golden. Add and cook until lightly browned.
Mix in , , , , and . stir for a couple of minutes
Add drained and . Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 min or until rice is tender.
Cool completely, then fold in and .
Melt the , but don’t heat it. Line small bowls with two sheets of , and fold them in half. brushing every layer generously with melted .
Spoon the 3-4 tablespoons of the rice mixture into each bowl. Fold the edges over the top and brush the tops with more .
Carefully invert the filled cups onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Leave some space between them to ensure they brown evenly on all sides. Brush tops with extra if needed.
Place in a preheated oven at 200–220°C until golden brown and crisp (approx.20 minutes).
Combine , , , , and salt in a bowl.
Gradually stir in until desired consistency is reached.
Chill until serving.
Plate golden Ouzi and serve with chilled on the side. Enjoy the rich, savory flavors paired with a fresh, creamy dip — perfect for sharing at gatherings.
Racha Syrian Kitchen's tips
Fillo pastry can dry out quickly; keep it covered with a slightly damp towel while you work.
You can use either lamb or beef for the meat filling according to preference.
To toast almonds and pine nuts, lightly fry them in ghee until golden for extra flavor.
If you don’t have mixed spices, a combination of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg works well.
Prepare the rice filling in advance to make assembly faster on the day of serving.
