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Crispy Savory Sambusa with Spiced Meat Filling Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 88 reviews

Delicious and crispy Sambusa, a popular savory pastry filled with spiced ground beef or lamb, wrapped in a thin homemade dough, and deep-fried to golden perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or snack served with your favorite dipping sauces.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon bouillon powder (or substitute with salt)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon curry powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Dough

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tablespoon sugar (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • ½ cup water (or as needed)

Assembly Paste

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup water (or as needed)

For Frying

  • Oil for deep frying

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant. Then add the ground beef or lamb, cooking until browned and thoroughly cooked. Stir in salt, bouillon powder, black pepper, cumin, coriander, curry powder, paprika, and turmeric, mixing well and cooking for another minute to meld all the flavors. Finish by stirring in fresh cilantro, cooking briefly before removing from heat and setting aside to cool.
  2. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, sugar (if using), and salt. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and mix with your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add up to ½ cup water, kneading the mixture into a smooth, elastic ball that is firm but pliable. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes.
  3. Roll and Cook Dough: After resting, knead the dough briefly on a floured surface and divide into five small balls. Roll each ball into a 4-inch (10 cm) circle. Layer the circles by brushing oil and sprinkling flour between each to prevent sticking, then roll the stack out to about 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. Heat a large pan over low heat and warm each piece of dough for 3 minutes on both sides without browning. Remove from heat and trim edges with a round object to create even circles.
  4. Cut and Separate Wrappers: Cut each dough circle into quarters to create samosa wraps. Gently separate the layers created by the oil and flour to form thin, pliable wrappers.
  5. Make Flour Paste: Mix ¼ cup all-purpose flour with ¼ cup water until smooth to create a paste used for sealing the sambusas.
  6. Assemble Sambusas: Take one samosa wrap and fold the rounded edge to form a long, diamond-shaped pocket. Use your finger to apply flour paste to seal edges. Spoon the cooled meat filling into the pocket, fold the top over, and press the edges firmly to seal completely. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
  7. Chill Before Frying: Refrigerate the assembled sambusas for about one hour if time allows; this helps them hold their shape during frying.
  8. Deep Fry Sambusas: Heat enough oil in a deep skillet or pot for deep frying. Once hot, carefully add sambusas in batches and fry until golden brown and crispy on all sides, approximately 3-5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  9. Serve: Serve hot as an appetizer or snack with dipping sauces like spicy tomato sauce or tangy mint yogurt sauce for added flavor.

Notes

  • To prevent the dough from sticking, make sure to oil and flour between each dough circle when layering.
  • Resting the dough for 10 minutes helps in easier rolling and more pliable wrappers.
  • Chilling sambusas before frying helps maintain their shape and prevents oil absorption.
  • Ensure oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy, non-greasy exterior.
  • You can substitute ground beef with lamb for a richer flavor or use a plant-based alternative to make it vegetarian.
  • Adjust spices according to your taste preferences for more or less heat and aroma.

Keywords: Sambusa, Samosa, Spiced Meat Pastry, Deep Fried Snack, Middle Eastern Appetizer, Ground Beef Samosa

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/crispy-savory-sambusa-with-spiced-meat-filling-recipe/