The Hungry Egyptian

Better than a Barista's iced coffee.

2012-02-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

I have an expensive addiction to coffee. Recently I began playing around with making iced coffee, lattes and all kinds of caffeine laced goodies. The fallowing is way better than most iced coffee I have spent 6.00+ on. You can play around with the syrups and coffee amounts according to how strong you want it. I am using Nescafe because I like super strong coffee

4 tsp Nescafe or 1 cup strong chilled coffee.
2.5 tsp sugar
3stp flavored syrup ( in the coffee isle of most stores )
1/4 cup half and half.
milk

Mix everything together until the Nescafe is dissolved and pour in an ice packed cup, top with milk and stir.

I don't recommend using the flavored creamers in the iced coffee, I use it in my hot coffee but for some reason it has a "cold fatty" taste to it in iced coffee. Stick to the syrups! There are lots of flavors to play with too, I got a coconut from Sam's and I love it! It docent have that over powered fake coconut taste, it's just right.

Blue cheese and garlic steak butter.

2012-01-31T15:23:00.000-08:00

3/4 cup unsalted sweet cream butter
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbled up.
1/4 cup of fresh chopped up garlic.
1 tsp rosemary.
1 chopped up bunch of fresh parsley.
Fresh ground black pepper.

It docent take a rocket scientist to make. Mashed everything into the room temperature butter until it is well mixed, it will never get smooth. Once everything has been incorporated it can be spooned over a nice warm steak. mmmm mmm good. Left overs can be dolloped onto parchment paper and placed in the freeze until hard then transferred to a zip lock bag and kept in the freezer until the next time you make steaks. Will keep frozen for 6 months.

** Tip, Ice cube trays make perfect portion sizes for leftovers.

Basic hummus

2012-01-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

You need a good food processor for hummus. I have tried with a crappy processor and it just didn't work right,.

What you will need.

2 cans of garbanzo beans (chick peas) ***or if you can find them dry 1 and a half cups soaked in water overnight.***
between 1 and 3 tbs Tahina or tahinni
the juice of 1 fresh lemon
plain white vinegar to taste
1/8 cup of water.
Salt to taste
1/4 cup of a really good extra virgin olive oil***

Okay after you have everything together ground the chick peas into submission! When you think "OH NO! I think I ground it up too much!" do it some more. Once you think they wont pulverize any further its time to move on.
If you haven't worked with tahina before you may be a bit freaked out when you open the car or jar and find a wretched looking oil floating on what seems to be a sesame seed brick.... trust me it's normal and will be like that every time you open it. Take a strong metal spoon and mix just one side of the can. There is no reason to fight the whole can when we only need a few table spoons. Once you have a light brown paste spoon out 3 tablespoons into the food processor. add in the lemon juice, olive oil and 1/8 of a cup of vinegar and blend again until its all mixed well.
Add the salt a few pinches at a time until you get it to the point you like it. Water can be added to think it up if it's to thick and extra vinegar or lemon juice can be add for more tang.

Hummus~~ An opening.

2012-01-17T11:34:00.000-08:00

I LOVE hummus and it is a staple in out diets. Before my Egyptian hubby came along I didn't care for it much. Don't get me wrong it was okay but..... the store bought stuff just wasn't amazing. We eat it on turkey sandwiches in place of mayo, with kofta and sometimes with a spoon because with good hummus you don't need anything more than that =P

I can still remember my first bite of real hummus, fresh off the plane in Alexandria. Starving for anything that wasn't microwaved. We went to Hosny's just up the road from our flat in Muntaza. Once the appetizers were spread out on our table and warm fresh pita bread was dropped off I dove in and never came back!

I have many hummus recipes but I will start basic and work from there.

Chicken & Spinach Soup

2011-12-11T14:29:00.000-08:00

2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 cup carrot or diced red bell pepper
1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 8 ounces), cut into quarters
1 large clove garlic, minced
5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram
6 ounces baby spinach, coarsely chopped
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans or great northern beans, rinsed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
Freshly ground pepper to taste
3/4 cup plain or herbed multigrain croutons for garnish (optional)

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add carrot (or bell pepper) and chicken; cook, turning the chicken and stirring frequently, until the chicken begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Stir in broth and marjoram; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
With a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken pieces to a plate to cool. Add spinach and beans to the pot and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, Parmesan and basil in a food processor (a mini processor works well). Process until a coarse paste forms, adding a little water and scraping down the sides as necessary.
Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Stir the chicken and pesto into the pot. Season with pepper. Heat until hot. Garnish with croutons, if desired.

Garlic fries

2011-12-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

One of hubby's favoret American "things" The garlic looses it's pungent taste for a sweeter more sooth flavor once it's brown and crispy.

What ya need...

3-4 large potatoes Yukon gold or Idaho. ( gold is better )
1/2 stick real butter or a few teaspoons of ghee
2 whole heads of fresh garlic skinned and sliced
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese ( optional )

What ya do...

slice the potatoes into fries. I keep the skin on. and fry until just brown. While the fries are cooking in a wok ( I love using a wok for everything but it really helps get the potatoes coated well with this) melt the butter and add the garlic, cook the garlic until it is lightly brown and crispy, be careful not to burn it.
Once both the garlic and the fries are cooked toss the fries with the garlic in the wok and add the cheese. Salt is not normally added as the butter or ghee is usually sufficiently salty.

Black and Blue burgers.

2011-12-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

Black and blue burgers are hands down my fav. burger! Hubby never had them until he came to the USA but loves Blue cheese and now these burgers.

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup blue cheese crumbles for the meat mix
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles to top the burgers after cooking
blackening mix season, wither homemade or store bought,
3 or 4 buttered and toasted kyser rolls.
Condiments of your choice.

I don't put egg and bread crumbs in my burgers, I think it's odd.... If I wanted fillers and oddness I would go get a fast food burger.

Mix the meat and the blue cheese up and form into 3 or 4 patties. Either pan fry or grill the burgers. When they are done top with the rest of the blue cheese and allow to melt before putting on the buns. Sometimes I throw on some mild cheddar and turkey bacon as well.

Blackening Spice Mix

2011-12-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

It's great of fish, chicken or meat. It's a must with a Blue cheese burger.

Mix everything together and store in the cabinet with other spice.

2 teaspoons ground paprika
4 teaspoons dried leaf thyme
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or to your taste
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Tonight we have salmon!

2011-11-17T19:31:00.001-08:00

Abdalla loves salmon but never had it blackened so tonight he will! I just can't imagine life without blackining season! Tonight i'll post my own blend..... Now to the cooking!

cream of broccoli soup with cheddar cheese

2011-11-14T08:14:00.000-08:00

I got this from the FB group "So I married an Egyptian". Great group and some really wonderful ladies... that know how to cook!

2 bunches of broccoli...cleaned...use stalks and flowers.
cut into big hunks.
put into big pot with water to cover it.
cut an onion into big hunks & throw in too.
throw in a few garlic pieces.
boil till mooshy.
take a stick blender, and moosh it up.
pour bout a cup of heavy cream into the same pot.
shred cheddar..use the large holes in the grater.
add half to soup in pan
salt & pepper.
pour into bowl
more grated cheddar on top.

Chocolate coconut pecan pie

2011-11-13T09:44:00.000-08:00

If you can "over kill" a pie, this would be it! It's so good, but so sweet!

2 cups pecan halvs
1 cup flaked coconut
3/4 cup of chocolate chips.
3 eggs
1 cup dark Karo syrup
1 cup sugar
dash salt
1tsp vanilla
2 tbl. melted butter
Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix everything together and pour into an uncooked pie crust. Bake 60 min or until you can push on the top and it springs back. If the pie crust starts to brown to much then cover the sides with foil. let cool 2 hrs before cutting.

Rhonda's SANIYET BATATES BIL KHODAR Baked Potatoes with Vegetables صينية بطاطس نالخضار

2011-11-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

SANIYET BATATES BIL KHODAR
Baked Potatoes with Vegetables
صينية بطاطس نالخضار

1/2 - 1 pound beef, cubed
1 cup onion, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon allspice
6 cups water
1/2 pound zucchini
1/2 pound carrots
1 medium bell pepper
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1 cup onions, thinly sliced
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds potatoes
2 roma tomatoes

Place water in a pot, add meat, onion, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon allspice. Bring to a boil, lower heat, cover and cook for 45 minutes until meat is will done. Remove meat and set aside.

Cut zucchini and carrots into slices and cut bell pepper into bite-size pieces. Add to broth and stir in chopped parsley, onions, garlic, salt, pepper and allspice. Wash and peel potatoes, slice into 1/4 inch thickness. Add to broth and mix well.

Place meat at the bottom of a baking pan, add vegetables and broth and top with tomato slices. Preheat oven to 375 F, cover pan and bake for 1 hour or until vegetables are done.

Serve hot with pocket bread, rice or rice with noodles. This dish can be cooked early and heated at mealtime.

Koshary

2011-11-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

The sauce, start this first.

1 large can of tomato sauce, I like to use the thick and zesty hunts spaghetti sauce. Its cheap and its... tomato sauce!
3 whole heads of garlic, peeled and diced.
2 large yellow onions diced, but not fine.
crushed red pepper to taste. I use a LOT but we have a taste for hot food.
cheyenne pepper to taste
a tad tumric
1/4 water
plane white vinegar
1/2 cup of veggi oil
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Short/ medium grain rice
vermicelli
1 cup green or brown lentils
1 can chick peas

in a med. sauce pan heat the oil and brown the onions scoop out the onions and set aside,pour out half the oil and set it aside too, youll need it later.

Add the garlic to the oil left in the pan and cook until golden brown. add the tomato sauce, the peppers and a bit of tumric. thin the sauce out with the water and let it cook on low.

Now you need to cook the rest....

The rice should really be the short or medium grain. for some reason its just better than long grain.
When you cook the rice add the oil you cooked the onion in for flavor.. it may sound odd but trust me it is good.

The vermicelli i cook with real butter and a bit of chicken bullion.

Once every thing is done, add the vinegar to the tomato sauce and taste it may need some salt.

on a dinner plate layer everything...
rice, vermicelli, tomato sauce, lentils, chick peas and onions.

Ta da!.... real Egyptian Koshary, garlicy, spicy, amazing and evil! Its the national dish of Egy.

sometimes i cook extra garlic and sprinkle over the top as well.. soo damn good!

Picante Sauce

2011-11-11T09:41:00.000-08:00

I eat picante on EVERYTHING, such yummy stuff!!! It's really easy to make. I have a glass milk bottle I fill with it about once a week so I keep it on hand.

What ya need

1 10.75 ounce can tomato puree
1 1/3 cup water
1/3 cup yellow onion chopped up
1/4 cup jalapenos chopped up
2 tabls white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt.
1/2 tsp dried onion
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 cloves fresh chopped garlic
a few pinches of cheyenne pepper

Cook everything in a pan together until it thickens up a bit then chill in the frig or use it right away.
There is no right or wrong thing to add or remove from the recipe. You can take out the vinegar and add lemon or lime juice. Add some cilantro or play with the seasonings. I like to use a blackening season I get from a local butcher shop

Homemade Egg Nog

2011-11-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

Okay so maybe it's not "Egyptian" but it's still pretty good stuff. This recipe is my mom's, as we do not drink alcohol I omit the rum and bourbon.

What ya need.

5 egg yolks**
1 cup heavy cream**
2 cups whole milk**
Pinch of salt
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup spiced rum
1 1/2 cups Jack Daniels
3/4 cup sugar

What ya do.
Mix the liquor and sugar together first. It's much easier so you don't have to worry about making whipped cream or scrambled eggs before the sugar is fully dissolved.
Once the sugar has dissolved add in the egg yolks, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Fallowed by the milk and cream.
Let it chill for 3-4 hrs and then top with cinnamon or nutmeg and serve.

** The last batch of eggnog I made I used non homogenized milk and cream. It's made a huge difference in the taste. Its good with normal milk and cream but the non homogenized was OUTSTANDING! It's also a lot better made with farm fresh eggs, there is a noticeable diffrence in eggs laid yesterday vs. eggs laid a week and a half ago.

Spinach and cheese pies ( samboosa )

2011-11-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

In my experience "Samboosa" can be a pastry dough stuffed with just about anything.
You can use an egg roll wrapper, Pillsbury refrigerated pizza crust or an all purpose pastry dough.

What ya need
the dough you with to use, here I am going to use the APPD.
1 1/2 cups of drained frozen spinach.
1 cup of a soft Arab style fetta cheese like Green Land or Panda. If you cant find it than use the fetta you can find.
1/8 a cup of real shredded Parm. and Romano cheese.
salt to taste
a dash of ground red pepper.
1 egg white well beaten and set to the side.

What ya do.

In a medium sized bowl mix your cheeses and spinach up add seasoning and set to the side.
get your dough rolled out and cut into rounds if you're fancy and have a pastry cutter or be like me and cut it into 2 inch by 2 inch squares. take a bit of your mix and fill each piece of pastry and then pinch the sides up until you have a little triangle package of spinach and cheese yummyness.
Place each one on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. brush them with the beaten egg white and bake at 350 for 25 min or until puffed up and golden brown, When they come out the oven sprinkle the top with shreaded cheese of a bit of feta.

** You can also use a cupcake pan, push the dough up the sides and bottom of each cup then fill with the mix and bake. Then top with fresh diced tomato.

All-Purpose Pastry Dough

2011-11-06T06:22:00.000-08:00

This can be used to make samboosa, sweet cheese filled pies, turnovers or as a classic pie crust

What ya need,

4 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4tesp salt
1 1/2 cups of REAL unsalted sweet cream butter. cut up and chilled
1/2 cup of veggi shortning.
up to 8 tablespoons cold water.

What ya do.

Mix the flour, sugar and salt in a bowl, and then cut in the butter and shortening with a fork or a pastry blender until you have what looks like coarse corn meal. Gather it all into a firm ball divide into 2, wrap bother dough balls in plastic wrap and allow to rest in the frig. over night or if you will use that day at least 4 hrs. Roll out and use as you wish.

Egyptian fattah

2011-11-06T06:06:00.000-08:00

This is an Eid and Ramadan fav! Don't be put off by the vinegar. I promise, It's amazing!

What ya need,

2 and a half pounds of good beef. I use a nice sized lean roast, cooked and shredded or cubed. SAVE THE MEAT JUICE FROM COOKING!
4-6 cloves of fresh garlic cooked in butter till golden
1 or 2 bay leaves
2 or 3 pita bread, I like the whole wheat for this but you can use the white.
2 cups cooked medium grain rice
3 tabls vinegar( I like to use a bit more)

What ya do,
Pour the meat drippings, vinegar, garlic and seasonings into a large sauce pan, cook on low for 1 hr. you may need to add a cup or so water if it cooks down too much
Cut up the pita bread into pieces, place it on a cookie sheet and bake it at 350 until it is toasted and crispy. If you don't mind the extra calories brush it with a bit of butter, real butter not the fake stuff. toss it every once in a while to ensure even cooking
In a glass cake pan ( you can use any kind of pan) cover the bottom in the toasted pita. spread the rice over, then the meat. and spoon over the the sauce pan of juice. ENJOY!

Besides holidays I will make this if I cook a bunch of meat for dinner and end up with left overs. If you put the meat and drippings in the frig over night the fat is much more easy to remove from the drippings. If you forget to save the meat drippings you can improvise with a bit of beef brother or bullion but it's not as good.

I MADE CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-01T22:48:00.000-07:00

And it rocked if I may add.

I was surprised by how easy it was to make. Here it goes,You need.....

3 cups or so of whole milk
4- 5 table spoons of white vinegar
Salt and seas to taste.
and that's all..... totally..... nothing more. Amazing yes I know.
A colander and some cheese cloth.

How to make some of the best fresh cheese in the world.

In a large heavy pot mix in the milk and cream. Very slowly bring the milk almost to a boil. It may take 30 min. to do so. Don't rush it. Make a cup of hot tea or coffee, call a friend you haven't chatted with in a while...whatever but don't rush it or it wont work.( make sure you stir the milk to keep it from burning while you chat)
Now once you have the milk almost to a boil, hang up the phone and pour in half of the vinegar, you may only need that if is docent start to thicken up right away add the rest. The curds will separate from the whey in the pot and you will notice a yellow liquid in the pot.......that's the whey. Let the cheese set in the pot and go line the colander with cheese cloth, pour in your cheese and allow it to set for 10 min or so to cool off, you can then add some salt and seasoning to the mix and mush it around with a spoon. Twist the cloth around the cheese and let it set in the frig for 3-4 hrs or over night. I leave the twisted cloth of cheese in the colander on a baking dish to catch the dripping whey. Thats it! Home made fresh yummy Farmers cheese, so easy I can do it. =)
Here is my Youtube video on the final step of farmers cheese. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufSsAC9zKvg&feature=player_embedded

Variation.... this will make a creamy softer cheese much like ricotta ( it can also be used in place of ricotta) If you want a firmer dried cheese don't add heavy cream and add in a bit more milk.

Tamia... AKA Falafel.

2010-08-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Fully cooked and steaming hot falafel.

Tamia really takes me back to Egypt. It's a daily any time food. It's cheep and filling and tastes great. Sadly we have no Tamia or falafel stands down south. So we have to make it. I normally make it once every 3 or 4 days and keep a tupperware bowl of it in the frig, but I would not recommend keeping it longer then 4 days or freezing the dough. It goes great with foul, a mashed fava bean and tahina paste, in pita bread with lettuce and tomato.

2 cups of split skinned fava beans soaked overnight
2 cups chick peas soaked overnight
1 bunch of Italian flat leaf parsley washed well
1 bunch cilantro washed well
8-10 cloves of garlic
1 large onion
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
1teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5 tablespoons flour
2 tsp baking soda before you cook it dont add if you will put in in the frig. for later.

In a food processor add the fava beans. You want them to be chopped supper fine, once done put in a large mixing bowl and do the same thing with the chick peas.

It should look like this

cut the onion into 4 pieces and put in the food processor, add in the garlic cilantro and parsley. blend it all together and add to the beans in the mixing bowl. add in all the seasonings and mix together, Slowly add the flour to the mix you will only need enough to pull it together. If you need to add water add a table spoon or so. You should be able to make it into a patty with your hand with out it crumbling.

Shape into balls or patties and fry in 2 inches of oil. serve hot. They will be dark brown, don't worry they didn't burn :~).

Basbousa a slice of semolina heaven.

2010-08-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

I love basbousa! Its rich but not too rich, It's sweet but not too sweet. It's moist and dense but not thick and doughy. It's easy to make and is kept on hand in most Egyptian homes, because you never know who may stop by!

What ya need....

3 cups of a good quality fine grate semolina flour some times you can fine it at walmart but I don't care for the brand they carry much. I buy mine at Shorline foods in Pensacola or you can find it at any middle eastern or Greek import store. It runs about the same price as flour.

1 cup sugar
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes. ( publix has a great organic brand or you can find it in the frozen fruits at wally world)
1/3 cup whole milk
1/2 cup ghee or butter
1 cup plain yogurt the real stuff not the fat free
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
About 12-15 whole almonds
Ghee or butter or margarine for the pan

Butter a glass 12/9 baking dish
Mix together semolina, coconut, sugar baking powder and soda in a large mixing bowel.
With an electric mixer or old school, either one works fine. Slowly add in room temp ghee, milk and yogurt. It will make a thick batter.
Pour the batter in your pan and using a spatula smooth the batter out evenly. I put a kitchen towel under the pan and beat the pan down to make sure it even as well.

Now with a butter knife cut across the top of the batter in a diamond pattern, not all the way threw but just enough to see where to place your almonds. Once you have diamonds place 1 almond in the middle of each diamond.
Now preheat your oven to 350. Before you put your cake in the oven you have to let it set for 2 hrs at least!!
The semolina needs time to soak up the liquid. Resist all temptation over it with a paper towel and walk away.... just walk away.
Ok come back now. Put the cake in the oven for 20-30 min or until golden. When it's done you will smell it....oh god will you!! YUMMY! take it from the oven and set it aside, it's not 100% done yet.

Now you have to make the syrup that you will pour over.

What ya need....

1 1/2 cups of water
2 cups of sugar
and 1 of the fallowing..... You can use either rose water, orange water or lemon juice. I have tried them all they all are great. If you use a strong rose water use about 1 cap same with orange water and Lemon juice use 5 drops or 1 tsp.

In a saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil, then add the lemon juice or flavored water and reduce the heat simmer uncovered, for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
Your cake should still be warm but not steaming hot. pour the syrup over the cake. Let it stand for 15 min. then re-cut your diamonds and serve.

You just made the best cake in the world....ENJOY!

Not mine I will replace it later with the cake I am baking tonight. =)

My love Egypt.

2010-08-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

I pray for you every day.
I miss you dearly.
With all the madness going on in Egypt currently I want to remember the good things that made me fall in love with the country and the people. Egyptians are the sweetest people in the world. The government is in need of overhaul in a bad way, the prices of food are up, unemployment is up wages are down but the spirit of the people is alive. They are proud, strong and lively. Every time i visit I feel welcome, I feel at home. I love my darling Egypt and every person who makes it so perfect.

golas belahma elmafroma جلاش باللحمه المفرومه

2010-08-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

My very first recipe and post will be one of my all time favorites. Golas belahma elmafroma. Or as I call it the ground beef stuff with peppers onions and tomato. =)~ It's too easy and a true classic.

What ya need....

1 roll of phyllo dough. I like Athens brand.
1/2 a cup melted ghee if your not Indian or Arab more then likely you don't have this on hand. I use it a lot and make it myself It's nothing more then cooled clerifyed butter. Or you can use margarine.
1.5 pounds lean ground beef. We use Halal ground beef when ever possible. It's grain and grass feed free rage and killed in the Islamic manner.
1 large green bell pepper.
1 med. yellow onion,
1 large tomato.
1.5 cups of shredded cheddar.
salt, red pepper for a kick some times I add a bit of beef bullion if I have it on hand.

Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees. Set your Phyllo out to thaw.

Chop onion, bell pepper and tomato, keep tomato separate from the rest.
In a med. skillet throw together the beef, onions, pepper and seasonings. Cook until 75% done then add the diced tomato and finish. I add the tomato at the end so it docent turn into mush. Remove from heat and drain off any fat in the pan.

Butter a 12 by 9 glass baking dish. Unroll your phyllo dough. Take 4- 5 sheets and lay on the bottom of the baking dish. sprinkle lightly with cheese then add 1/2 of the cooked meat and veggies. top with 7-8 more sheets of dough ( you want that layer a bit thicker) brush melted ghee of the dough, add meat and veggies, a bit of cheese and then repeat with more dough. On the top layer of Phyllo brush with ghee. I use a serving spoon to push stray edges of dough down to make the top look more uniform and neat. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top then to the oven for about 30 min or until golden brown.

When you remove from the oven allow it to cool for about 15 min and it will be much more easy to cut and serve.