Meat and Rice Filling

• 1 onion, finely chopped (optional)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 pound lean ground lamb or beef
• 1/3 cup short-grain or round rice, washed and drained
• 1 tomato, peeled and chopped (optional)
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1. If the vegetables are going to be stewed, put all the ingredients together in a bowl and knead well by hand until thoroughly blended.
2. Do not fill the vegetables more than three-quarters full, to allow for the expansion of the rice.
3. If you will be baking the vegetables in the oven, the filling must be cooked.
4. Fry the onion in 2 tablespoons of oil till soft, add the ground meat, and stir gently, crushing and turning it over, until it changes color.
5. Add the rest of the ingredients, mix well, cover with 3/4 cup water, and simmer for 18 minutes, or until the rice is done.

onion, vegetable oil, lean ground lamb, shortgrain, tomato, parsley, salt, ground cinnamon

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/meat-and-rice-filling-373480 (may not work)