Sambusa Pastry Recipes

SAMBUSA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, leek and garlic, and cook, stirring until the onions are transparent. Add ground beef, and cook until about halfway done. Season with cumin, cardamom, salt and pepper. Mix well, and continue cooking until beef has browned.
• In a small dish or cup, mix together the flour and water to make a thin paste. Using one wrapper at a time, fold into the shape of a cone. Fill the cone with the meat mixture, close the top, and seal with the paste. Repeat until wraps or filling are used up.
• Heat the oil to 365 degrees F ( 170 degrees C) in a deep-fryer or deep heavy pot. There should be enough oil to submerge the wraps. Fry the Sambusa a few at a time until golden brown. Remove carefully to drain on paper towels.

SAMBUSA PASTRY

Steps:

• Mix the flour oil and the salt, while using a fork mix in the water slowly, knead the though for 5-10 minutes until smooth and pliable dough.
• Form the dough into a ball and coat the outside with oil. Cover and set it aside for about 15 minutes.
• Heat a skillet on a medium-low heat.
• Knead the dough again and divide it into 8 equal portions.
• Form each portion into a ball.
• Using two balls at a time roll both in 5inch brush one with oil and put the other one on top. Press with your fingers to make sure they line up, roll on a floured surface to flatten with a rolling pin about 9-10 inches in diameter.
• Cut into four peaces with a sharp knife, roll each peace again so it keeps its shape.Place each peace on the warm skillet and leave it each side to dry it out (make sure you don't leave it too long). Remove and let it cool slightly then separate the two slowly without tearing the wrappers.
• Cover with a towel and continue to repeat the same steps until you have finished all peaces.

MEAT SAMBUSA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pine nuts; cook and stir until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add beef; cook, stirring to break up clumps, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in onion; cook and stir until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat; season with cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Stir in pine nuts.
• Cut each spring roll wrapper into three 12x4-inch rectangles. Brush each rectangle lightly with melted butter.
• Place a heaping teaspoonful of the beef mixture near the short end of 1 rectangle. Fold 1 corner over to enclose the filling and form a triangle. Continue to fold until the rectangle has been folded into a triangular packet, sealing any holes to prevent filling from oozing out. Dab cold water on the outside fold to seal sambusa closed.
• Repeat with remaining spring roll rectangles and beef mixture. Arrange sambusa on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crisp and golden, about 25 minutes.

VEGETABLE SAMOSAS

Steps:

• To make the filling, heat the oil in a frying pan, add the onion and garlic, mix in the spices and fry for 10 mins until soft. Add the vegetables, seasoning and stir well until coated. Add the stock, cover and simmer for 30 mins until cooked. Leave to cool.
• To make the pastry, mix flour and salt into a bowl. Make a well in the centre, add the oil and 100ml water to make a firm dough. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-10 mins until smooth and roll into a ball. Cover in cling film and set aside at room temperature for 30 mins.
• Divide the pastry into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and roll out into a circle of 15cm. Divide this circle into two equal pieces with a knife.
• Brush each edge with a little water and form a cone shape around your fingers, sealing the dampened edge. Fill with 1 tbsp mixture and press the two dampened edges together to seal the top of the cone. Repeat with the remaining pastry.
• Heat the oil in a large deep saucepan to 180C. The oil should come 1/3rd of the way up the pan. Deep fry the samosas in batches for 8-10 mins until crisp and brown. Take out and drain on kitchen paper.