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Indian Meat Pastry Bites

Serves 4 to 6 Appetizer meat, Appetizers

Indian Meat Pastry Bites

Indian Meat Pastry Bites are a beloved snack found in many Indian home kitchens, cherished for their simplicity and satisfying flavors. Traditionally prepared for intimate gatherings or as a quick treat for family, these bites are a staple at the table, where they are savored with informal ease. The recipe captures the essence of home cooking, where ingredients are measured by intuition and experience, rather than by the book.

When you bite into one of these golden pastries, expect a crispy exterior that gives way to a seasoned beef filling, subtly spiced with black pepper and the sweetness of softened onions. The generous use of fat ensures a rich and indulgent experience, making them irresistibly moreish. Enjoy them hot, fresh from the pan, as they are meant to be shared and relished together.

Ingredients

  • 300 gground beef
  • 1onion
  • 12pastry wrappers
  • for fryingoil
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by finely chopping 1 onion. This will ensure it cooks evenly and blends well with the ground beef. Set the chopped onion aside and prepare the pastry wrappers by laying them out on a clean surface, ready for filling.
  2. In a large skillet, heat enough oil to generously coat the bottom over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and soft, releasing a sweet aroma, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Add 300 g of ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Stir frequently, ensuring the beef browns evenly and absorbs the onion's flavor. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink and has developed a rich brown color.
  4. Season the beef mixture with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat. Taste a small portion to adjust the seasoning if necessary, ensuring the flavors are balanced and to your liking.
  5. Take the skillet off the heat and allow the beef mixture to cool slightly. This will make it easier to handle and prevent the pastry wrappers from becoming soggy during assembly.
  6. Place a spoonful of the beef mixture onto the center of each pastry wrapper. Fold the wrappers over the filling, sealing the edges by pressing them together firmly. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch and to ensure they are well-sealed.
  7. In a clean pan, heat more oil for frying over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the filled pastry bites in batches, ensuring they do not overcrowd the pan. Fry until the pastry is golden brown and crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning once.
  8. Remove the pastry bites from the oil and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil. Finish with a final sprinkle of fine sea salt while they are still hot. Serve the Indian Meat Pastry Bites immediately, while the pastry is crisp and the filling is warm, perfect for sharing.
Cover of Authentic Indian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Indian Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Indian Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Indian volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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