Samboosak (sambusa) or meat pie is a traditional middle-eastern dish widely served in Ramadan. There are many varieties of recipes according to location. Following is a Saudi recipe from Makkah.
Dough Ingredients
2 cups of flour
2 tablespoons of ghee or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon of bread spices (Hajj yeast, fennel, black cumin, “zromba”)
Pinch of salt
Warm water for kneading
Oil for deep frying
Making the Dough
Knead all ingredients together with warm water until the dough holds its shape and becomes a ball. Put it in a bowl, cover the bowl with a humid cloth and leave it for four hours.
Meat Filling
1/2 pound minced meat (beef or lamb)
2 grated onions
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Half bundle of parsley (chopped)
Pinch of salt and pepper (if preferred)
Cooking Meat Filling
1. Sauté the onions with the oil until they are transparent.
2. Add the meat, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until done.
3. Add the parsley and mix all the ingredients together.
Cheese Filling
1/2 kg Akkawi or any white cheese.
One parsley bundle (chopped).
Cheese Filling
1. Chop Akkawi or white cheese (mild not too salty) into small pieces.
2. Mix chopped cheese and parsley together.
Method
1. Roll small pieces of dough into small circles.
2. Fill each dough circle with the cheese or meat filling.
3. Fold the dough into half a circle and close it with the filling inside by sticking the sides together.
4. When the two sides meet at one edge, pinch a centimeter and twist it. Repeat the move until the edge is all twisted.
5. Fry deeply.
Makes twenty pieces.
