Description
Enjoy these delightful cheese-filled Lebanese sambousek, a popular Middle Eastern pastry with a crispy, golden exterior and a warm, gooey cheese center. Perfect as an appetizer, picnic food, or part of a mezze spread.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
- ½ cup warm water
- ¼ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
- For the Cheese Filling:
- 1½ cups Akkawi cheese (or mozzarella if unavailable)
- ½ cup feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint or parsley
- ½ teaspoon nigella seeds (optional)
- ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper or sweet paprika
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Neutral oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. In a separate bowl, mix warm water, warm milk, oil, and yogurt. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, kneading for 8-10 minutes until a soft, elastic dough forms. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Make the Cheese Filling: If using Akkawi cheese, soak it in water for 30 minutes to reduce saltiness, then drain and crumble. Mix Akkawi and feta cheeses in a bowl with chopped mint or parsley, nigella seeds, Aleppo pepper, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Shape the Sambousek: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two portions. On a floured surface, roll out one portion to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out 3-inch circles. Place a spoonful of cheese mixture in the center of each circle. Fold into a half-moon shape and press edges to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork.
- Fry to Golden Perfection: Heat neutral oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry sambousek in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Serve: Enjoy these cheese-filled Lebanese sambousek warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Akkawi cheese can be substituted with mozzarella if Akkawi is unavailable.
- Nigella seeds are optional but traditional for authentic flavor.
- Ensure oil temperature is maintained for crispy sambousek.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sambousek
Keywords: Cheese Filled Lebanese Sambousek, Lebanese cheese sambousek recipe, Homemade cheese sambousek, Lebanese sambousek, Middle Eastern cheese triangles, Crispy cheese sambousek, Baked cheese sambousek, Lebanese cheese turnovers