Description
Understanding spiced lamb and pine nut baked sambousek starts with its texture. It has a unique flavor balance. Sambousek is a savory stuffed pastry. It is filled with seasoned meats, cheeses, or legumes. The dough folds into half-moon shapes or triangles.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 lb (450 g) ground lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp allspice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses, optional
For the Sambousek
- 12–16 sambousek or empanada pastry wrappers
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds or nigella seeds, optional
Instructions
- Toast the pine nuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add the pine nuts and toast for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the lamb: Heat olive oil in the same skillet. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the ground lamb and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the toasted pine nuts, parsley, and pomegranate molasses. Allow the filling to cool completely.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Fill the pastries: Place about 1–1½ tablespoons of lamb filling in the center of each wrapper. Fold over to form a half-moon and firmly press the edges to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative finish.
- Arrange the sambousek on the baking sheet. Brush each one lightly with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame or nigella seeds if desired.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Make sure the lamb is cooked thoroughly before filling the pastries, and allow the filling to cool before assembling to prevent the pastry from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sambousek
- Calories: 180 kcal
Keywords: baked lamb sambousek, spiced lamb pastries, Middle Eastern lamb pockets, savory baked sambousek, lamb and pine nut pastries