Tanisha Pate (store manager) - 08 / Apr / 2021

Kibbeh

In this kibbeh recipe, a mixture of bulgur wheat, onions, and ground beef forms a hollow shell for a delicious stuffing. Enveloped in warm and earthy Middle Eastern spices like allspice and ground cinnamon, kibbeh is the epitome of Middle Eastern comfort food. The kibbeh croquettes can be deep fried or baked, and are often served as mezze or side dish. See more on kibbeh and the step-by-step tutorial below!

FOR THE KIBBEH (THE ACTUAL DOUGH THAT FORMS THE KIBBEH SHELLS)

2 1/2 cupsfine bulgur wheat
Water
1 large onion, quartered
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef (or lamb)
2 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp black pepper
Pinch salt
Oil for frying

FOR THE MEAT FILLING

Olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped or grated
1 lb ground lamb or beef (I used beef here), cold
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Cover a fine mesh strainer with a light cloth (a cheesecloth, if you have one). Add the bulgur wheat in, then place the strainer into a bowl filled with water. Let the fine bulgur wheat soak in the water for 15 minutes, then pull the cloth, holding the bulgur, and squeeze all the water out. You may do this a couple of times until you are sure the bulgur is rid of water. Set aside for now.
Now make the kibbeh (the actual dough that you will later use to form the kibbeh shells). Put the onion, ground beef, spices and pinch of salt into the bowl of a large food processor. Process until the meat is very finely ground almost into a paste. Transfer the meat mixture into a large bowl and add the bulgur wheat. Use damp hands to combine the bulgur with the meat mixture to make a dough. Cover and refrigerate until later.
Now make the filling. Heat about 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet or frying pan. Saute the onion until just golden, then add the ground beef. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the meat is fully browned. Add the toasted pine nuts, the spices, and the salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Remove the kibbeh dough from the fridge.
To stuff the kibbeh, you need to have damp hands. Place a small bowl of water next to you. Prepare a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.
With both the bowl of kibbeh dough and the filling near, you can begin stuffing the kibbeh. Dampen your hands with some water, take a handful of the kibbeh dough (about 2 tbsp or so) and form into somewhat of an oval-shaped disc in the palm of one hand. Use your finger to make a well in the middle of the disc, and gradually hallow the disc out to make a larger well or hole for the filling. Using a spoon, add about 1 tablespoon of the filling. Seal the dough on top and, using both hands, carefully shape it into an oval (football-type shape). Place the stuffed kibbeh on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat the stuffing steps until you run out, be sure to have damp hands throughout.
Chill the stuffed kibbeh for 1 hour.
Heat the oil in a deep frying pan to 350 degrees F (you'll want the oil hot enough that you can see some gentle bubbling, but not too hot where it will burn the kibbeh shells). Deep-fry the kibbeh in the hot oil, in batches being carefully not to crowd them, until the kibbeh shells are brown (about 5 minutes or so). With a slotted spoon or tongs, carefully remove the kibbeh and place them on a pan lined with paper towel to drain. Repeat until you have fried all the stuffed kibbeh.
Serve hot or at room temprature with tahini sauce, tzatziki sauce or plain Greek yogurt. Enjoy!

NOTES

It is important that the kibbeh dough remains cool as you work with it. So if you think it will take you longer to finish the stuffing process (steps 5&6), place the bowl of kibbeh dough in a larger bowl filled with ice.
If you prefer to bake the kibbeh croquettes--Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray the stuffed kibbeh with olive oil, and arrange them in a single layer, spaced out, on a large baking sheet. Bake until deep golden brown (likely about 30 minutes or so, but this will vary).
To freeze the kibbeh-- You can easily freeze the kibbeh after stuffing. Instead of simply chilling for an hour (step #7), you can arrange the kibbeh on a baking sheet and freeze for an hour or two. Take the baking sheet out of the freezer, once the kibbeh have hardened, and transfer the kibbeh to a freezer-safe container or even large zip lock bags. Freeze until you are ready to use. You can cook these from frozen, do not thaw.
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