Kibbee Nyi Raw Kibbee Recipes

KIBBEE NYI (RAW KIBBEE)

Steps:

• Do not use purchased ground meat if you can avoid it.
• Even extra lean has too much fat in it.
• Wash bulghur and soak in hot water for about 30 minutes.
• Drain well, and squeeze dry.
• Trim fat and sinew from the meat, cut in chunks, and run through a grinder, using the finest plate.
• Grind onion and mint, and in a large bowl, thoroughly mix with meat and spices.
• Run mixture through the grinder again, and knead the olive oil into the mixture; if it feels too dry add a little water, and continue to knead.
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes for flavors to develop, adjust seasonings, and knead again to combine thoroughly.
• Mound on a shallow serving dish, pat down, and smooth the top and sides, using a little water on your hands to help.
• Coat top lightly with olive oil, or if desired, drizzle melted butter over meat, and coat evenly.
• Serve with pita bread or leaves of Romaine lettuce for scooping.
• In addition to being to being delicious as is, raw, Kibbee Nyi is the basis for many cooked kibbee dishes, a few of which will be submitted separately.

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.