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Lebanese Meat Pies

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Lebanese Meat Pies (Sfiha) are soft, golden Middle Eastern pastries filled with flavorful spiced ground beef or lamb, onions, tomatoes, and warm spices. These savory hand pies are baked until perfectly tender and are ideal as appetizers, snacks, or light meals. Lebanese meat pies are delicious served warm with lemon wedges or yogurt sauce.

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup warm water

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Filling

  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 small tomato, finely diced

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • ¼ cup pine nuts (optional)

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.

  • Add warm water and olive oil, mixing until a soft dough forms.

  • Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

  • While the dough rises, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground meat with chopped onion until browned.

  • Add garlic, diced tomato, and tomato paste. Cook for a few minutes until combined.

  • Stir in cinnamon, allspice, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Cook until the mixture thickens slightly.

  • Remove from heat and mix in chopped parsley and pine nuts if using. Let the filling cool.

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Punch down the risen dough and divide it into small balls. Roll each into a small circle.

  • Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle.

  • Fold the dough into a triangular or slightly open pie shape, pinching the edges.

  • Arrange pies on the baking sheet and bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown.

  • Serve warm with lemon wedges or yogurt sauce.

Notes

Allow the filling to cool before placing it on the dough to prevent the dough from becoming soggy.Pine nuts add a traditional nutty flavor but can be omitted if desired.These pies can be made open-faced for a more traditional bakery-style Lebanese sfiha.A squeeze of fresh lemon juice enhances the flavor when serving

Find it online: https://cookibly.com/lebanese-meat-pies/