Sambousek

Name: Sambousek
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Lebanese
Ingredients: 24 wonton wrappers; 0.5 lb ground beef; 0.5 cup onion, finely diced; 3 tbsp pine nuts, chopped; 0.5 tsp ground cumin; 0.125 tsp ground cinnamon; 0.125 tsp ground allspice; 0.25 tsp salt; 0.125 tsp black pepper; 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying); 0.5 cup plain yogurt

Crispy triangular pastries filled with spiced ground meat, onions, and pine nuts. Fried until golden and served as an appetizer or snack with yogurt sauce.

45 minMediumServes 6280 cal/serving

LebaneseAppetizerStovetopStandard

Ingredients

24 wonton wrappers
0.5 lb ground beef
0.5 cup onion, finely diced
3 tbsp pine nuts, chopped
0.5 tsp ground cumin
0.125 tsp ground cinnamon
0.125 tsp ground allspice
0.25 tsp salt
0.125 tsp black pepper
2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
0.5 cup plain yogurt

Instructions

1

Heat 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying) in a deep skillet to 350°F.
2

While oil heats, cook 0.5 lb ground beef and 0.5 cup finely diced onion together in a pan over medium heat until beef is browned, 5-7 minutes.
3

Drain fat and stir in 3 tbsp chopped pine nuts, 0.5 tsp ground cumin, 0.125 tsp ground cinnamon, 0.125 tsp ground allspice, 0.25 tsp salt, and 0.125 tsp black pepper.
4

Cool filling slightly.
5

Place 1 tsp filling on corner of each 24 wonton wrappers.
6

Fold wrapper into a triangle and press edges to seal.
7

Working in batches, carefully place triangles in hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
8

Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
9

Serve warm with 0.5 cup plain yogurt for dipping.

Questions

Can I make Sambousek dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 0.5 cup plain yogurt. Swap the yogurt for an unsweetened coconut or soy yogurt. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Sambousek gluten-free?

Not cleanly. 24 wonton wrappers has no substitute that behaves the same way in this dish. If you need strictly gluten-free, start from the gluten-free appetizer collection instead.

How long does Sambousek keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Can I halve or double Sambousek?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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