Fried Meat Sambousek
These crispy, golden-brown Middle Eastern pastry pockets are filled with a savory, spiced ground beef mixture that makes for an irresistible appetizer.
Ingredients
- •2 cups all-purpose flour
- •1/2 teaspoon salt
- •1/4 cup olive oil
- •1/2 cup warm water
- •1/2 pound ground beef
- •1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- •1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- •1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- •1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- •2 cups vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the olive oil and warm water, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Knead for 5 minutes, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- 2
While the dough rests, heat a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the ground beef and onions until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent.
- 3
Stir in the cinnamon, allspice, salt, pepper, and pine nuts. Cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely.
- 4
Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter or a glass to cut out 3-inch circles.
- 5
Place a spoonful of the meat mixture in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and crimp the edges tightly with a fork to seal.
- 6
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the sambousek in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until they are deep golden brown.
- 7
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels before serving warm.
💡 Chef tips
- Ensure the meat filling is completely cool before stuffing the dough; warm filling will make the dough soggy and difficult to seal.
- You can prepare the sambousek ahead of time and freeze them raw on a baking sheet, then fry them directly from frozen, adding an extra minute to the cooking time.
- If you don't have pine nuts, toasted slivered almonds provide a similar crunch and nutty flavor profile.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished sambousek should be perfectly crisp and bubbly on the outside, with a fragrant, savory, and spiced meat interior that is tender and aromatic.