Introduction:
Embark on a culinary journey to Brazil with Stuffed Baked Kibbeh, a delightful twist on a traditional Middle Eastern dish. This easy recipe combines the savory flavors of ground beef, bulgur wheat, and spices with a creamy cheese filling, creating a satisfying and unique baked treat.
A Labor of Love:
Stuffed Baked Kibbeh is a labor of love, lovingly crafted with simple ingredients like ground beef, bulgur wheat, onions, and spices. The key to this recipe lies in the careful preparation of the kibbeh and the perfect balance of flavors in the filling.
Versatile Delight:
Stuffed Baked Kibbeh is a versatile delight that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a hearty appetizer. Serve it warm with a side of salad or hummus for a complete meal.
A Taste of Home:
For Brazilians, Stuffed Baked Kibbeh is more than just a dish; it’s a taste of home. It evokes memories of family gatherings and the simple pleasures of homemade comfort food.
Ingredients:
For the Kibbeh:
- 1 cup bulgur wheat
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
Filling
Ingredients:
- 1 drizzle of olive oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 500 grams cream cheese spread (or requeijão cremoso)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, combine the bulgur wheat and warm water. Let stand for 1 hour, or until the bulgur is softened.
- Add the ground beef, onion, mint, salt, pepper, and allspice to the bulgur mixture.
- Mix and knead well to release the gluten from the wheat. Set aside.
- to make the filling – In a pan, sauté 1 sliced onion with 1 drizzle of olive oil until golden brown.
- In a greased baking dish, spread half of the kibbeh and add the sautéed onion.
- Then, spread 500 grams of cream cheese spread and cover with the remaining kibbeh dough.
- With a knife, make cuts on the surface and drizzle with plenty of olive oil.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes.
Tips:
- For a more flavorful kibbeh, you can soak the bulgur wheat in chicken or beef broth instead of water.
- You can also add other spices to the kibbeh, such as cumin.
- If you don’t have pine nuts, you can substitute another type of nut, such as almonds or walnuts.
- Serve the kibbeh with a side of hummus, baba ghanoush, white rice or your favorite salad.
