Description
A crispy, golden Middle Eastern pastry filled with creamy cheeses and aromatic herbs perfect as a snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cups Akkawi cheese, grated (or substitute with mozzarella)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon dried mint
- 1 tablespoon nigella seeds (optional)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Optional: 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- Optional: 1 tablespoon za’atar spice
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
- Add melted butter and warm water gradually to form a soft dough.
- Knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Mix Akkawi cheese, feta, dried mint, and nigella seeds in a separate bowl.
- Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 3-4 inch circles.
- Place 1 tablespoon of filling in center, fold into half-moons, and seal edges.
- Use fork to crimp edges for decoration.
- Heat oil in deep pan over medium heat.
- Fry sambousek in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
- Drain on paper towels and garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve hot with dipping sauces or as part of a mezze platter.
Notes
Soak Akkawi cheese beforehand to reduce saltiness. Avoid overfilling pastries. Fry in small batches for even crispiness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 sambousek
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: lebanese sambousek, cheese sambousek, middle eastern appetizer, fried pastry