Aunt Louise's Baked Kibbeh
Description
Make authentic baked kibbeh with this recipe from a Lebanese family. You'll love this savory meat pie made with ground beef, bulgur, and pine nuts.
Ingredients
•
1 cup bulgur wheat
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2 cups boiling water
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1/2 cup finely chopped onion, divided
•
2 teaspoons salt, divided
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1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
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1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
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1 pound ground beef
•
1 pound ground lamb, divided
•
1/2 cup pine nuts
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1/4 stick salted butter
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1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, or to taste
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1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, or to taste
Directions
1
Place bulgur into a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand until water is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
2
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3
Stir 1/4 cup onion, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, basil, and pepper into softened bulgur. Add ground beef and 1/2 pound lamb; mix well. Divide mixture into two portions. Pat one portion over the bottom of a 12x7-inch baking dish.
4
Place remaining portion onto waxed paper and pat into 12x7-inch rectangle on a piece of waxed paper; set aside.
5
Cook and stir remaining 1/4 cup onion and 1/2 pound lamb in a skillet until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease from the skillet. Stir in pine nuts and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spoon over meat layer in the baking dish.
6
Invert the second meat layer over the filling; peel off and discard waxed paper. Score the top layer into diamond shapes by cutting diagonally in both directions, leaving about 3 inches between the cuts. Press a small dab of butter into the middle of each diamond.
7
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Garnish with cherry tomatoes and mint.