Layered Potato and Minced Meat Bake: Mubattan Kusha مبطن بطاطا في الفرن

This version of mubattan includes all the ingredients of the fried version, but they are in layers, with the potato slices sandwiching the meat mixture. A quick and easy recipe makes this the family-friendly Mubatan. With a salad its a complete meal, heartier and healthier than the side dish or appetizer fried mubattan which is often reserved for Fridays and guests.

Serves 4 as Main Meal
Ingredients

500g minced lamb or beef
5-6 medium size potatoes sliced

2 chopped medium size onions
2 chopped medium size tomatoes ( optional )
50g butter ( about 2 tbspoons )
2  cups finely chopped parsley
1 tsp red chilli pepper
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp salt

Egg Mixture

3 eggs
2 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 tbs chopped dill
2 tbs white flour

salt and pepper

Topping

1 cup dried breadcrumbs

corn oil for brushing
vegetable oil for frying

Cook the minced meat. Put 2-3 tbs butter in the frying pan, add the minced meat and cook on medium heat. Do not cover and stir occasionally until it releases its own liquid. When the minced meat has dried, add 1 cup of hot water, half the amount of chopped onion, all the spices. Cook on  medium heat for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat, add the rest of chopped onions, the chopped parsley, and the chopped tomatoes (if used). Cook for another 10 minutes. The meat mixture should now be somewhat moist, with a little liquid in it. Remove from the heat. Set aside.

Peel and cut the potatoes into thin slice. Brush with corn oil and place on previously heated tray,

 and grill until golden from both sides. 

Layer half the potatoes in a casserole dish.

Beat three eggs with the flour, the chopped herbs, pepper and salt. 

                              Pour half of this mixture over the potatoes layer.                         

 Spread the meat mixture evenly over the potatoes slices, pressing down with a spoon

            

 Layer the other half of the potato slices on top of the filling, in an overlapping pattern.

             Pour the rest of the egg mixture onto this top layer of potatoes.

.

Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the surface, and place the dish in the oven for about 30 minutes. Press the edge of a knife in to see if it is cooked

.

 Let it rest before serving