Today, we’ll be sharing how to prepare Kibbeh with Meat the Lebanese way, which I personally consider one of the tastiest Lebanese dishes. It’s also the perfect dish to make when you’re short on time and want to impress your family or guests with minimal preparation!
Kibbeh with meat can be prepared in two ways: you can either fry it as kibbeh balls, which doesn’t take much time, or bake it in the oven for a healthier option. Keep reading to learn how to prepare this delicious dish!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients for kibbeh to serve 5 people:
Kibbeh Meat
You can buy pre-made kibbeh meat (minced lean meat) directly from the butcher, but if you want to prepare it at home, here are the ingredients and the method:
- 1 kg finely ground meat
- ½ kg fine bulgur wheat
- 1 grated onion
- 1 tsp dried ground basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp seven spices
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 tsp dried ground marjoram (optional)
- 1 tsp cumin (optional)
Filling
- 4 onions
- ½ kg coarse ground meat
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp seven spices
- 50g pine nuts
For Fried Kibbeh Balls
You will need:
- Enough oil for deep frying
- 1 small coffee cup of cold water mixed with a little oil and 1 tsp cornstarch
For Baked Kibbeh
You will need:
- 1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
- A little olive oil
How to Prepare Kibbeh
Generally, the method for preparing fried kibbeh balls and baked kibbeh only differs in the final steps. Here’s the detailed recipe:
Filling:
- Toasting the Pine Nuts: Fry the pine nuts in a small pan with a bit of oil until they turn golden.
- Chopping the Onions: Chop the onions finely, then fry them in oil until they become golden.
- Adding the Meat: Add the coarse meat to the onions, along with salt and spices. Cook until the meat is done, then set the mixture aside to cool.
Kibbeh Meat:
- Washing the Bulgur: Wash the fine bulgur wheat well with water.
- Adding Ingredients: Add the grated onion, dried basil, marjoram, salt, seven spices, cumin, black pepper, and finely ground meat to the bulgur.
- Mixing the Ingredients: Add ¼ cup of cold water or an ice cube, then knead the mixture well by hand until it forms a cohesive dough.
Preparing Fried Kibbeh Balls:
- Shaping the Meat: Divide the kibbeh meat into small balls.
- Hollowing the Balls: Hollow out the balls using your fingers, adding a few drops of the water, oil, and cornstarch mixture to make the process easier.
- Filling the Balls: Stuff the hollowed balls with the previously prepared filling once it has cooled down.
- Frying the Balls: Fry the kibbeh balls in hot oil for 3-5 minutes until golden and crispy, then serve.
Preparing Baked Kibbeh:
- Preparing the Pan: Grease a baking tray with olive oil.
- Layering the Meat and Filling: Spread a thin layer of kibbeh meat on the bottom of the tray, then add the filling, and finally cover with another layer of kibbeh meat.
- Cutting: Cut the top layer of kibbeh into squares.
- Adding the Ghee: Leave a small space in the middle of the tray to pour the ghee or olive oil.
- Baking: Bake the kibbeh for about 30 minutes, but it’s best to remove it from the oven when the top begins to brown. Then, pour a spoonful of ghee on the surface and return the tray to the oven for a few more minutes until fully cooked.
Serving:
Once the kibbeh has cooled slightly, it can be served with fried potatoes, salad, or yogurt.
And that’s the end of the recipe! Enjoy your delicious, homemade Lebanese kibbeh.
Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and share us your experience in the comment when you prepare it!
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