Fatta
A traditional Egyptian celebration dish, Fatta features layers of toasted pita bread, fluffy rice, and tender meat, all brought together with a pungent garlic-vinegar sauce. It's a hearty and flavorful dish often served during Eid al-Adha.
🧂 Ingredients
- 800 g Lamb or beef
- 2 L Water
- 2 Bay leaves
- 3 Cardamom pods
- 1 tsp Black peppercorns
- to taste Salt
- 400 g Rice
- 4 Pita bread
- 1 head Garlic
- 60 ml White vinegar
- 4 tbsp Ghee or vegetable oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the meat broth: Place the lamb or beef in a large pot. Add 2 liters of water, bay leaves, cardamom pods, and black peppercorns. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for at least 2 hours, or until the meat is very tender. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during the first 30 minutes. Season with salt to taste in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
⏱️ 2 hours 30 minutes - 2
Cook the rice: Once the meat is tender, remove it from the broth and set aside. Strain the broth into a clean pot, discarding the solids. Measure out approximately 800ml of broth (you may need to add water if there isn't enough). Bring the broth to a boil. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain well. Add the rinsed rice to the boiling broth, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 3
Prepare the bread: While the rice is cooking, cut or tear the pita bread into bite-sized pieces. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil over medium heat. Add the pita pieces and toast them, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and crispy. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Make the garlic-vinegar sauce: In the same skillet (wipe clean if necessary), heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Pour in the vinegar and let it bubble for about 30 seconds to mellow the sharpness. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Assemble the Fatta: In a large, shallow serving dish, spread the toasted pita bread pieces evenly. Ladle about 1 cup of the hot meat broth over the bread to lightly moisten it (it should not be soggy). Spoon the cooked rice evenly over the bread layer. Arrange the cooked meat pieces on top of the rice. Finally, generously drizzle the garlic-vinegar sauce all over the dish. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use bone-in cuts of meat.
- ✓The garlic-vinegar sauce is the signature element of Fatta; ensure it's well-balanced.
- ✓Don't over-soak the bread; it should be moist but retain some crispness.
- ✓This dish is best served immediately after assembly to enjoy the textural contrast.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a layer of cooked chickpeas with the rice for extra protein and texture.
- Some variations include a simple tomato sauce poured over the layers before the garlic-vinegar sauce.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth, and consider adding fried eggplant or other vegetables.