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Sambousek (Meat & Cheese Pies)

Crispy, golden pastries filled with spiced meat or creamy cheese — a Middle Eastern favorite perfect for Ramadan, gatherings, or anytime you want something savory and delicious 🤍
This dough makes 18 sambousek (enough for one filling). Double the dough if making both fillings to yield 36 pieces.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Savoury Starters, snacks
Cuisine Indian
Servings 18 pieces

Ingredients
  

For Meat Filling:

  • 400 grams ground meat
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp pine nuts
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamin
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup hot water

For Cheese Filling:

  • 1 1/2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp tsp dry mint
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese
  • salt to taste

For Dough:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp vinegar
  • water as needed

Instructions
 

Prepare meat filling:

  • Cook ground meat in a hot pan until browned.
  • Add onion and cook until soft.
  • Add garlic and cook briefly. Add oil and fry pine nuts until golden.
  • Mix in spices and salt, add hot water, and cook until dry.
  • Cool completely.

Prepare cheese filling:

  • Melt butter, add flour, and cook lightly.
  • Add mint and milk, cook until thick.
  • Add mozzarella and feta, mix until melted.
  • Cool completely.

Make dough:

  • Mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and sugar.
  • Add butter and oil, rub to crumb texture.
  • Add water gradually and knead into smooth dough.
  • Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

Shape sambousek:

  • Roll dough thin and cut circles.
  • Add filling in center, fold into half-moon, seal edges and crimp.

Fry:

  • Heat oil and fry in batches until golden and crisp.
  • Drain on paper towel.

Serve:

  • Serve warm with chutney or dipping sauce.

Notes

Pro Tips:
✔ Rest dough for easier rolling.
✔ Cool fillings before stuffing.
✔ Do not overfill to avoid breaking.
✔ Seal edges tightly before frying.
✔ Fry on medium heat for crisp texture.
Keyword cheese, meat, pie