Kubbeh Bamya Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN KIBBEH

Steps:

• Place bulgur in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with water just to the top of the bulgur. Place in the microwave and cook on High 1 to 2 minutes until bulgur is swollen and the water is absorbed. Toss briefly and allow to stand until cool.
• Place the mint leaves in the bowl of a food processor. Process, gradually adding onion through the feed tube, until both mint and onion are finely chopped. Stir the mint-onion mixture into the bulgur, with the cumin, allspice, salt, and pepper. Stir the bulgur mixture into the ground lamb and mix thoroughly. Using damp hands, shape the lamb mixture into small, palm-sized patties.
• Place the olive oil in a skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the kibbeh patties and cook until outside is golden brown and center is cooked through, turning once, about 6 minutes on each side.

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!

KUBBEH BAMYA

Steps:

• To prepare the kubbeh: Place the chopped onion in a bowl and season with salt.
• Let stand 15 minutes to absorb the salt.
• Squeeze the onion to remove excess juices and add the beef and the baharat.
• Mix well with the hands into a uniform paste.
• Place the semolina in a bowl and add enough water to create a doughy mixture.
• Set aside for 10 minutes.
• Divide the mixture into 24 sections then roll each into a round ball.
• Using your finger, make a deep dent in each ball and place 1 tablespoon of the beef mixture inside.
• Pinch to close and roll again into a ball shape.
• To make the sauce: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil with the garlic and tomatoes over low heat.
• Cook for about 8 minutes till the tomatoes are softened and add the okra.
• Cook an additional 10-15 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and 2 cups water and raise the temperature to medium.
• Bring to a boil and add the lemon juice, sugar and salt to taste.
• Keep the sauce at a slow boil for 10 minutes and add the kubbeh.
• Lower heat and cook covered for 10 minutes more.

BAMYA MIDDLE EASTERN OKRA STEW

Steps:

• Start by cutting the tips off using a small knife, then wash the okra and drain well.
• Heat olive oil in a large pot, then saute a diced onion until it's soft and translucent.
• Add the washed okra to the pot, and saute for a few minutes. Add a crushed garlic to the pot and cook until fragrant.
• Add bay leaves, ground cumin, and turmeric. followed by vegetable stock to cover the okra, and cook for 20 minutes until the okra is cooked.
• Add a can of diced tomatoes, or fresh sliced tomatoes. And cook for 15 more minutes. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add salt.
• Serve warm over rice.

IRANIAN BEET, PLUM AND CELERY SOUP WITH KUBBEH (MEAT DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Mix semolina or farina and 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt in a bowl. Gradually add about 1 cup hot water, mixing with a fork until the consistency of Play-Doh. If necessary add a bit more water. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
• Dice one onion. In large pot, heat oil and add diced onion and garlic. Sauté until golden. Add celery root, beets and plums or apricots. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Add 6 cups of water, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until beets are tender, about 15 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon sugar.
• In food processor, combine remaining onions, celery leaves and parsley or cilantro. Pulse until finely chopped but not puréed and transfer to a large bowl. Add beef, black pepper and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Mix well with fingers.
• Remove dough from refrigerator and knead again until pliable. With wet hands, take a walnut-size portion of dough and flatten it as thinly as possible in your palm. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of meat mixture in center. Completely enclose meat in dough and roll it into a ball between your hands to seal. Keeping your hands wet, repeat with remaining dough and filling.
• Bring soup to a boil and gently add dumplings. They will sink. Cover and simmer gently until cooked through, about 30 minutes, adding water if soup becomes too thick. Add more lemon juice and sugar if needed. Ladle into bowls, garnish with mint, and serve.