Zahav At Home: Michael Solomonov's Fried Kibbe

kibbe
Michael Solomonov•

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Look no further than James Beard Award winner Michael Solomonov for a modern take on classic Israeli food. His new cookbook, Zahav, is packed with your new favorite ways to consume all things Middle Eastern/Mediterranean/North African. Particularly those delicious extra-lamby fried meat dumplings known as kibbe.

Reprinted with permission from Zahav

Zahav At Home: Michael Solomonov's Fried Kibbe
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Prep Time
2.75
hours
Cook Time
40
minutes
Servings
15
kibbe
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/2 onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 pound ground lamb
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups bulgur wheat
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • kosher salt
  • canola oil
  • basic Tehina sauce
  • lemon wedges
Directions
  1. :::filling:::
  2. Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the onion has begun to soften but not brown, about 8 minutes.
  3. Add the lamb and continue cooking, stirring to break up the meat, until it begins to brown, about 8 more minutes.
  4. Add the pine nuts, allspice, and salt and continue to cook, stirring, until the meat is well browned and the nuts begin to toast, about 3 more minutes. Transfer the mixture to a plate and refrigerate until cool.
  5. :::shells:::
  6. Soak the bulgur in cold water for 1 hour. Drain, squeeze out the excess water, and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
  7. Combine the soaked bulgur and lamb in a large bowl, season well with salt, and stir until well blended.
  8. :::kibbe:::
  9. Shape about ¼ cup of the shell mixture around your thumb. Fill the cavity with about 2 teaspoons of the filling, press the open end closed, and shape into a little football. Repeat until all the kibbe are formed. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
  10. Heat about 2 inches oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. (You can tell when the oil is hot enough to fry by sticking the handle of a wooden spoon into the oil; if bubbles form around it, it’s ready. Or heat until the oil reaches 375°F on a candy thermometer.)
  11. Fry the kibbe, working in batches if needed to avoid crowding the pot, until deep golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  12. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve with the tehina sauce and lemon wedges.
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