Baked Lebanese Kibbe Food

KIBBEE LEBANESE STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch square baking dish.
• Soak bulgur in hot water until the bulgur expands and cools, about 10 minutes. Place the bulgur, mint, allspice, pepper, cinnamon, salt, onion, parsley, and lamb in a food processor. Process until well mixed, about 1 minute. Divide the lamb mixture and layer half in the baking dish, creating a large patty. Sprinkle pine nuts over the meat, then layer the remaining lamb on top, patting firmly. Cut the kibbee into 1 1/2 inch squares.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the lamb is no longer pink in the middle, 30 to 35 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

BAKED LEBANESE KIBBE

Steps:

• Rinse the bulgur well, then cover with cold water and soak for 20 minutes. Drain well.
• Put the drained bulgur, lamb, grated onion, cumin and cayenne in a large mixing bowl. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Mix well with your hands to distribute the seasoning. With a wooden spoon, beat in about 1/2 cup ice water. The mixture should be smooth and soft.
• Heat the olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and fry gently, stirring occasionally, until they soften, about 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Raise the heat and add 1/4 cup of the lamb mixture. Continue frying, allowing the meat to get crumbly and the onions to brown nicely, another 10 minutes or so. Stir in the pine nuts and taste. Let cool to room temperature.
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a shallow 9-by-13-inch baking dish, then press half the remaining lamb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Spread half the onion-pine nut mixture over the meat. Add the rest of the meat to the pan, patting and pressing it with wet hands to make a smooth top. If desired, score the top with a sharp paring knife to make a traditional diamond pattern at least 1/2-inch deep.
• Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden. Spread with the remaining onion-pine nut mixture. Serve warm, at room temperature or cool, with a dollop of yogurt.

KIBBEH RECIPE (HOW TO MAKE KIBBEH)

Steps:

• 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!

AUNT LOUISE'S BAKED KIBBEH

Steps:

• Place bulgur in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand until water is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir 1/4 cup onion, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, basil, and pepper into the bulgur. Add ground beef and 1/2 pound lamb; mix well. Divide mixture into 2 portions. Pat 1 portion over the bottom of a 12x7-inch baking dish.
• Pat the other portion into a matching rectangle on a piece of waxed paper. Set aside for the top.
• Cook and stir remaining 1/4 cup onion and 1/2 pound lamb in a skillet until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease from the skillet. Stir in pine nuts and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spoon lamb-pine nut mixture over the meat layer in the baking dish.
• Invert top layer over the filling. Peel off waxed paper. Score top layer into diamond shapes by cutting diagonally in both directions, leaving about 3 inches between cuts. Press a small dab of butter into the middle of each diamond.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Garnish with cherry tomatoes and mint.

BAKED KIBBEH

Steps:

• Make filling:
• Cook onion in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Add lamb, allspice, salt, cinnamon, and pepper and cook, stirring and breaking up lumps, until lamb is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup pine nuts.
• Make bulgur mixture:
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cover bulgur by 1 inch with cold water in a bowl. When dust and chaff rise to surface, pour off water, then repeat rinsing 2 more times. Cover rinsed bulgur with cold water by 1 inch and let stand 10 minutes. Drain in a fine-mesh sieve, pressing hard on bulgur to remove excess liquid, and transfer to a large bowl.
• Pulse onion in a food processor until finely chopped. Add lamb, allspice, salt, cinnamon, and pepper and pulse until onion is finely minced (meat will look smooth). Add to bulgur and mix with your hands to combine well.
• Assemble and bake kibbeh:
• Lightly grease pie plate with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Press half of bulgur mixture evenly onto bottom and up side of plate (up 1 inch if using skillet). Spoon filling evenly over bulgur mixture. Spoon remaining bulgur mixture over filling and spread to cover, smoothing top. Brush top with remaining olive oil and score in a crosshatch pattern with a paring knife.
• Bake kibbeh in middle of oven until cooked through, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Preheat broiler. Broil kibbeh 5 to 7 inches from heat until top is golden brown and crusty, 3 to 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

BAKED KIBBEH

Steps:

• 1. Place dry bulgur into large bowl and cover with water. Set aside to soak for 30-60 minutes until all the water is gone. (This will be used for the Kibbeh Neyyeh (raw mixture).
• 2. In the meantime, you're going to make the "stuffing."
• 3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in large skillet. Add the pine nuts to the skillet and fry until lightly browned.
• 4. Add 1 pound of ground lamb or chuck and cook until the meat has started to lose its pinkness.
• 5. Add the remaining stuffing ingredients and cook until the meat is completely browned. Set aside.
• 6. Now you're going to make the Kibbeh Nayyeh (raw mixture).
• 7. Drain the bulgur and squeeze out any excess water. Combine all the Kibbeh Nayyeh ingredients, except the olive oil, in a bowl and mix with your hands until combined. Do not over work.
• 8. Spread half the Kibbeh Nayyeh (raw) mixture into a 9 x 13 inch pan. Pat it down with your hand so that it covers the bottom of the pan evenly.
• 9. Spread the cooked "stuffing" on top of the bottom layer of Kibbeh Nayyeh.
• 10. Spread the remaining Kibbeh Nayyeh on top of the stuffing. You may want to tear off pieces, flatten them in your hand and place evenly on top. Then press flat with your hand.
• 11. With a sharp knife, cut diagonal lines through the Kibbeh to create a diamond pattern.
• 12. Drizzle the olive oil over the top and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Let rest for 5 - 10 minutes before serving. Can be served at room temperature.

LEBANESE RAW KIBBEH RECIPE - MAKE KIBBEH NAYYEH AT HOME

Steps:

• Since we're going to be eating it raw, freeze the meat for 2 weeks prior to making the dish if possible in order to reduce typical raw meat contamination and bacteria. Also try to buy quality local, fresh meat whenever possible.
• Partially thaw the meat for 6 hours in the fridge prior to preparing the dish.
• Place the Bulgur in a small bowl and rinse it with cold water, then drain and squeeze to get rid of as much water as possible.
• Put the meat in a food processor along with about 5 cubes of ice and half of the cinnamon and spin it for about 3-5 minutes until it becomes very fine. Important: stop the processor every minute or so and feel the meat to ensure it's not warming up. If it is, add a bit more ice cubes and spin. Once done, set aside in a large bowl.
• To make the spice mix, put the green pepper, mint, marjoram, onion, salt, chili powder and 7-spices in the food processor and mix them well.
• Add the Bulgur, spice mix on top of the meat and knead well for a few minutes to make sure that all ingredients have integrated well.
• Immediately after the kneading, place the Kibbeh Nayyeh in a serving plate and flatten it making symmetric dents in it with the edge of a spoon for show.
• Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and fresh mint leaves on top.
• Serve cold along a side of pita bread, and a veggie plate which may include white onions, green onions, chili peppers, mint, salty chili pepper pickles etc...

LEBANESE KIBBEH IN A TRAY

Steps:

• Select lamb from loin of the animal.
• Pound the cubed meat with a teaspoon of salt in a stone mortar with a wooden mallet.
• Remove meat from mortar when it becomes pasty.
• Now pound onion with a teaspoon of salt and the pepper until it is reduced to a pulp.
• Combine meat and onion and pound together until very smooth.
• Wash bulghur well in running water but do this quickly so that it does not soften.
• Press to remove water.
• Knead bulghur and meat with the hands.
• Pound together in mortar.
• Add salt to taste.
• Dip mallet in ice water occasionally to keep meat moist and smooth.
• Properly prepared kibbeh must be pounded at least an hour.
• Then it is ready to be eaten as it is, or cooked in a variety of ways.
• Preparation time may be shortened considerably by grinding meat several times through fine blade of meat grinder.
• Grind onion twice.
• Grind onions with meat once.
• Combine washed bulghur with meat-onion mixture.
• Knead well, seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Grind this mixture three times adding a tablespoon of ice water to keep it smooth.
• To make stuffing: Heat fat.
• Fry chopped onions in it until soft.
• Add meat and fry until lightly browned.
• Add pine nuts and continue frying until they are slightly browned and the meat has lost its pink color entirely.
• Season with salt, pepper and cinnamon.
• Pour off excess fat.
• To make Kibbeh in a Tray: Grease a shallow 12 x 18 inch baking pan.
• Pat a layer of basic kibbeh smoothly and firmly over the bottom of the pan to the depth of one inch.
• Cover this evenly with with a layer of stuffing.
• Top with a second layer of kibbeh slightly thicker than the first.
• Score into diamond shapes with a sharp knife.
• Pour one cup melted samneh or butter over all.
• Bake in moderate oven about 20 minutes, or until well browned.
• Serve hot or cold.

KIBBEH WITH YOGURT-GARLIC SAUCE (LEBANON)

Steps:

• To make the outer shells, place the bulgur wheat in a bowl and cover with water. Let sit for 20 minutes then drain in a strainer, pressing to extract the excess liquid.
• In a large bowl, blend the beef, onions, cumin, salt, and pepper to a paste. Add the strained bulgur wheat and mix well. Process again, in batches, in a food processor until smooth and pliable enough to work like a dough, adding a little ice water if needed.
• To make the stuffing, in a large skillet, cook the meat, stirring, over medium-high heat until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the onions, salt, allspice, pepper, and cinnamon, and cook, stirring, until tender, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the pine nuts. Let sit until cool enough to handle.
• To make the final dish, with wet hands, shape the raw meat-bulgur mixture into egg-sized balls. Make a hole down the center of each ball with an index finger to make a deep cup with a pointed bottom. Stuff each ball with about 1 tablespoon of the stuffing. Press down on the sides and top to enclose the filling and reshape into a smooth egg with a pointed top. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, wetting your hands frequently.
• Preheat the oil to 360 degrees F.
• In batches, add the kibbeh balls to the hot oil and cook until golden brown and the meat is cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot or at room temperature, with the Yogurt-Garlic Sauce for dipping.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the yogurt until smooth and creamy. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk to combine.

BAKED KIBBEH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and butter a 9 x 13 baking dish; set aside.
• To prepare the base meat mixture, add the bulgur wheat to a medium bowl and stir in the boiling hot water. Cover the bowl and let stand for 10 minutes then drain any excess water.
• Add the ground lamb and sirloin to a food processor and pulse until it forms a fine paste. Remove from food processor and place in a large bowl along with softened wheat, grated onion, and All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend. Use your hands to mix well. If mixture gets too sticky on hands, dip into a bowl of ice water.
• To make the filling, heat the clarified butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat, pine nuts, onion, and All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend and sauté until meat is cooked through about 9-11 minutes.
• To form the baked kibbeh, spread half of the base meat mixture out on the bottom of the baking dish. Next, spread the filling on top of the base layer. Finally, spread the remaining base meat mixture on top, pressing down a bit with wet hands to smooth the top.
• Slice kibbeh diagonally to form small diamonds. Optional: you can drizzle on additional melted clarified butter over the top at this point.
• Bake until meat is fully cooked, about 40-45 minutes. Serve with Cucumber Laban on the side.

LEBANESE KIBBEH

Steps:

• first soak the burghul in water for 20 minutes.
• then drain and let dry for about 30 minutes
• filling:.
• heat a pan and add the ghee and the onion until it's golden brown , then add the ground meat and stir it until it's color starts to turn almost white , add the water and turn the heat down and let it cook for about 15 minutes then add the pinuts , raisins , salt ,pepper , cinnamon and nut meg , and cook it for another 10 minutes and set it aside .
• outer shell:.
• meanwhile put the ground meat in a food processor and work it until it's soft.
• you can use a mortar and pestol if you have one around.
• then add the burghul and minced onion to the meat.
• and mix it with your hands.
• divid it into equal size balls , wet your hands with water and try to shape each ball into an egg then make a hole in the middle and add some of the filling, and shape it again into an egg
• then deep fry into vegtable oil until it's brown in color.