Sanbusa Turnovers Recipe
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Description: Originating as a beloved Ramadan delicacy in Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt, sanbusa, a precursor to the famed samosa, has traversed culinary boundaries, leaving its mark on Indian cuisine. Sweet sanbusa halvah holds a cherished place at weddings in the Gulf countries. This recipe provides a versatile dough base, complemented by an array of fillings, each sufficient for one batch of dough, yielding 36-48 delectable pastries.
Recipe Category: Breads
Keywords: Lunch/Snacks, Lamb/Sheep, Pork, Grains, Cheese, Fruit, Nuts, Meat, Lebanese, Southwest Asia (Middle East), Egyptian, Ethiopian, African, Asian, Indian, Potluck, Ramadan, Weeknight, For Large Groups, Oven, Small Appliance, < 4 Hours
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 3/4 cup |
| White flour | 3/4 cup |
| Salt | 5 tsp |
| Water | 2 cups |
| Ground beef | 1/2 – 3/4 lb |
| Onion | 1 large |
| Pine nuts | 1 1/2 cups |
| Pepper | 3/4 tsp |
| Parsley | 1/2 cup |
| Cinnamon | 2 tsp |
| Feta cheese | 1 cup |
| Fresh herb | 1 handful |
| Olive oil | 3/4 cup |
| Walnuts | 3/4 cup |
| Currants | 3/4 cup |
| Sugar | 3 tbsp |
| Cardamom | 1/4 tsp |
| Saffron | 3 strands |
| Rose water | 2 tbsp |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 578.3
- Fat Content: 40.3g
- Saturated Fat Content: 12.1g
- Cholesterol Content: 59.8mg
- Sodium Content: 1018.9mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 40.1g
- Fiber Content: 3.4g
- Sugar Content: 16.2g
- Protein Content: 16.9g
Recipe Yield: 36-48 turnovers
Recipe Instructions:
To Make the Dough:
- Melt the butter with the oil.
- In a bowl, combine the flour and salt, then create a well in the center.
- Add the melted butter and oil mixture into the well.
- Stir vigorously until well combined, then gradually add water until the dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the refrigerator while preparing the fillings.
To Make the Meat Filling:
- Combine ground beef, finely chopped onion, pine nuts, salt, pepper, parsley, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly using your hands until fully combined.
To Make the Cheese Filling:
- Place feta cheese, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper into the work bowl of a food processor.
- Blend the ingredients until smooth and well combined.
To Make the Vegetable Filling:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- SautΓ© the onions for 2 minutes until translucent.
- Add the greens and salt to the skillet, stirring well.
- Reduce the heat, cover, and cook until the greens are wilted and release their juices.
- Turn off the heat, then add toasted walnuts, currants, and pepper to the skillet, stirring until combined.
To Make the Sweet Filling:
- In a bowl, combine walnuts, currants, sugar, cardamom, saffron, and rose water.
- Stir the ingredients until well incorporated.
To Assemble the Sanbusa:
- Preheat the oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C).
- For each pastry, take a walnut-sized piece of dough and roll it out into a 3-inch circle.
- Place a teaspoonful of the desired filling in the center of the dough circle.
- Fold the circle into a half-moon shape and firmly pinch the edges together.
- Alternatively, form a triangular pocket by pinching the edges of the circle in three seams that meet in the center over the filling.
- Arrange the pastries on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until golden yellow.
- Alternatively, deep fry the pastries in vegetable oil until golden brown.
- Serve the sanbusa turnovers warm and enjoy the delightful flavors of this Middle Eastern treat.
With its rich history and versatile fillings, these sanbusa turnovers are sure to become a favorite at your table, whether for festive gatherings or casual snacking. Try experimenting with different fillings to discover your perfect combination of flavors. Enjoy the culinary journey inspired by the vibrant traditions of the Middle East and beyond! π₯β¨
