Meghli

Meghli is an authentic Lebanese dish. Meghli is served on special occasions, such as the birth of a child.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/1 cups pounded rice
• 8 cups water
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tbsp caraway seed
• 1 tbsp anise seed
• 1/4 tsp powdered ginger
  

Preparation:

• Pound rice in a mortar until fine and powdery. Pound spices separately. Mix rice with two cups water. Add sugar, caraway and anise. Add it to the remaining six cups of water, which should be boiling. Add ginger. Boil, stirring occasionally, until mixture coats the spoon. About an hour of cooking, at least, is required.

• Pour into individual serving dishes. Decorate with blanched almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios and coconut.