Kibbeh Bil Sanieh – Syrian-Style Baked Kibbeh

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Pastry Filling

1. 1
   Add the onion to some of the olive oil heated in the pan and fry for 8–10 minutes, stirring, until the onion browns.

   ⚙ Adding to the hot fat and fryingStoveFrying pan

   💡Add by cooking time: what needs long (onion, carrot, meat) goes in first, and what burns fast (garlic, dry spices) goes in last, only until fragrant.
2. 2
   Raise the heat to medium-high and add the meat. Press it flat over the bottom and leave it for 2–3 minutes without stirring, until a brown crust forms.

   Stove

   💡Brown ground beef in the pot without pressing it: leave it as one 'cake' for a few minutes until a brown crust forms, then break it into chunks. Deep browning = deep flavor.
3. 3
   Break it up with a wooden spoon and fry for 5–7 more minutes, stirring, until no pink is left and the meat browns.

   StoveWooden spoon
4. 4
   Add the walnuts and mix well.
5. 5
   Remove from the heat and cool the filling completely, about half an hour.

   💡Fill dough only with completely cooled filling: a hot filling softens the dough, makes it hard to seal and makes the pastry soggy inside.

To assemble

1. 6
   Soak the bulgur 20 minutes in water, drain and squeeze well.

   ⚙ SoakingBowl

   💡Soak in plenty of water, well above what's being soaked: legumes and grains swell and drink water, and whatever sticks out stays hard. Drain well before continuing.
2. 7
   Mix the ground meat with the onion, cumin, cinnamon, salt and black pepper until evenly combined.
3. 8
   Add the bulgur to the meat mixture and Knead, into a smooth dough.

   ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer
4. 9
   Spread a layer of the bulgur dough over the bottom of a pan greased with the oil.

   Baking pan
5. 10
   Spread the filling on top and cover with another layer of the bulgur dough.
6. 11
   Score a crosshatch into the top layer and drizzle the rest of the olive oil over it.

   Knife
7. 12
   Put the kubbeh in a hot oven, 180°C (355°F), for 35–40 minutes, until the kubbeh is golden.

   OvenBaking pan
8. 13
   Serve with yogurt.