Lebanese Meat Recipes

LEBANESE MEAT PIES

Steps:

• Combine the warm water, sugar and yeast in a bowl. Add the flour and salt and mix together until well combined. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead the mixture until sticky.
• Add the olive oil and continue kneading until the dough becomes soft and smooth and lightly sticky without leaving any dough on your fingers.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly greased and allow it to proof until doubled, about 90 minutes.
• Remove the dough and divide into 30 pieces and reshape to round balls. Let sit in an oiled tray until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• In a medium size pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil and cook the onions until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Add the beef and onions and cook until the beef is browned, about 8-10 minutes. Fold in the tomatoes and parsley, then season with salt, 7 Spice, sumac and cinnamon.
• Preheat the oven to 425ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll out the dough in 4-5 inch circles. Place 2 tablespoons of the mixture inside each circle.
• Hold two ends of the dough and seal them together over the filling, pinching the dough together to help bind. Fold the last side up to meet the first two sides, pinching the dough together with the first two sides to bind.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
• Serve warm on their own or with plain whole milk yogurt as a dip.

FATAYER (LEBANESE MEAT PIES)

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add steak pieces, onions, parsley, salt, and pepper and cook until steak is browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Pat bread dough on a lightly floured surface into 4- to 5-inch rounds. Place about 2 tablespoons meat mixture on each dough round. Fold dough over the mixture to make a triangle. Pinch the edges of the dough together but make sure to leave the very center of the meat pie unsealed so steam can escape while cooking. Set on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and meat mixture and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let rise for 10 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake fatayer in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 25 minutes.

LEBANESE STREET SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Place onions in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Remove and pat dry; transfer to a large bowl. Add parsley to processor; pulse until minced. Stir into onions. Add beef, egg and salt; mix lightly but thoroughly., Slice pitas horizontally in half. Spread bottoms with meat mixture to edge. Replace pita tops; press lightly to adhere. Brush outsides of sandwiches with oil. Grill sandwiches, uncovered, over medium heat until a thermometer inserted into meat mixture reads 160°, 10-12 minutes, turning every 2 minutes. Cool slightly before cutting into quarters., Combine sauce ingredients; serve with sandwiches.