Lahme Bi Karaz is a traditional Syrian dish from Aleppo made with tender meatballs simmered in a rich, sweet-and-tangy cherry sauce. Cherries, lemon, warm spices, and pomegranate syrup create a deeply flavorful sauce that is traditionally served over pita bread. It’s a beautiful, comforting dish made for sharing.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 teaspoon seven spice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Cherry Sauce
• 3 bags cherries, pitted
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1–2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon seven spice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons pomegranate syrup
For Serving
• Fresh or toasted pita bread
• Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, seven spice, salt, and black pepper. Form the mixture into meatballs and arrange them on a baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 10 minutes.
- Blend the pitted cherries, lemon juice, water, tomato paste, sugar, seven spice, salt, black pepper, and pomegranate syrup until combined.
- Pour the cherry mixture into a large pot and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the baked meatballs and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Arrange pieces of fresh or toasted pita bread on a serving platter. Spoon the meatballs and cherry sauce over the bread.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.