Rolled Steak with Rice Filling

Basmashkat is a traditional dish from Damascus, with many variations. Some cooks add peas, chopped onion, and grated carrot to the filling. Others use mushrooms and grated cheese instead of rice. The rolled steaks can be cooked in tomato puree (perhaps flavored with herbs) instead of boiled in plain water. To keep the filling snugly in the rolls, cooks will sew or tie the ends with string, or use toothpicks to keep them shut. In any case, the steak must be pounded so that it’s no thicker th