Love,Cook and Eat

Kibbeh or kibbe is an  Arabic dish made of bulgur (crushed wheat) and chopped meat. The best-known variety is a torpedo-shaped fried croquette stuffed with minced beef or lamb. Other types of kibbeh may be shaped into balls or patties, and baked or cooked in yogurt. It is widespread in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt(where it is called koubeiba) and Palestine. Usually I don't make my Baked Kibbeh this thick but  I broke the baking dish I wanted to use while I was getting it from my cabinet, so I had to use a smaller one the one I used is 11x7. So the size of baking dish you use depends on your preference of thickness.


Ingredients:

Serves 8

for the Kibbeh:

2 lbs finely ground lean beef
2 cups fine bulgur wheat
1/2 medium onion
1/2 roasted red pepper or fresh pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp  dried basil
1 tsp dried mint
1 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
*** you can use fresh herbs substitute each 1 tsp to 1 tbs of fresh herb .I prefer fresh herbs but I didn't have any :(

For Stuffing:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onions.
2 tbs vegetable oil
2 tbs pine nuts
1 1/4  tsp all spice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

To prepare stuffing

Over medium heat, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet  ,cook pine nuts until golden in color ( keep and eye on them they burn easily) take the pine nuts out from skillet and set aside.In the same skillet saute onions for 2 mins, add ground beef and spices and cook until browned. Turn Heat off, add pine nuts and combine.Set the stuffing aside


For The Kibbeh:

In food processor combine, Bulgur , spices, onions and peppers.






Mix everything is chopped and well combined. The mixture will look like red wet bulgur wheat.



Now is Stand up mixer , Mix the fine ground lean beef  with 3/4 the bulgur mixture ( I wrap the rest and put in the freezer for other recipes) until well combined , while mixing add about 4 tbs of water.



Now for the assembly:

Using a 13x9 Baking dish with result in a medium thickness baked Kibbeh.
Line the baking Dish with aluminium Foil paper and leave the sides of the foil hanging outside the baking dish.
spread half of the kibbeh mixture on the foil. Now hold the foil from the two sides and take it out and set is aside . This will be the top part. This is the easiest way in forming the top layer instead in working it in patches.


Now spray the baking dish with oil and spread the other half of the kibbeh. follow with a layer of stuffing.




Now gentley put the top layer we set aside on top. With a knife cut the Kibbeh in the shapes you like diamonds or rectangles.


Cover with Aluminium foil and bake in 450 degrees oven for 30 mins, then take the foil and broil for about 5 min or until browned. Serve with salad or  Greek yogurt.