Kubbe

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Description

This is a traditional Middle Eastern appetizer. It is torpedo-shaped, crispy on the outside, and has a meat and onion filling. Time-consuming, but delicious. Can be frozen raw, and fried straight from the freezer for a delicious treat, dipped in Tahini. This recipe has been in the family for ages.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fine bulgur
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin, or to taste
  • 1 cup water, or as needed
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 large onions, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon coarse salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup pine nuts (Optional)
  • 3 cups oil for frying, or as needed

Instructions

  1. Place bulgur in a large bowl. Stir in the flour
  2. 6 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  3. red pepper flakes
  4. salt
  5. and cumin. Gradually mix in the cup of water to make a stiff but not crumbly dough. Knead for a few minutes to fully bind the ingredients. If it is too mushy
  6. let it sit for a while
  7. and the bulgur will absorb some of the water.
  8. For the filling: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until browned. Remove from the skillet. Crumble the ground beef into the skillet
  9. and cook until evenly browned
  10. stirring frequently. Drain excess grease. Season with allspice
  11. salt
  12. and cinnamon
  13. and stir in the cooked onions and pine nuts. Allow to cool enough to handle.
  14. Form the dough into walnut-sized balls. Press your thumb into the ball while it is enclosed in your other hand to form a tube. The cylinder should be about 2 inches long
  15. and the thinner the walls are
  16. the better they will cook. Fill the cavity with as much of the meat mixture as you can
  17. then seal the end to form a torpedo shape. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. At this point
  18. the kubbe may be frozen. Freeze on baking sheets
  19. then transfer to freezer bags when solid.
  20. Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). If the oil is not hot enough
  21. the kubbe will fall apart. Carefully place the kubbe into the hot oil
  22. and fry until nicely browned
  23. about 1 minute. Remove with tongs to paper towels to drain. Serve with tahini.

Prep Time: 45 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 25

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