Lebanese Meat Pastry Bites

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 blends well with the ground beef, providing a consistent texture and flavor throughout the filling. Set the chopped onion aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine 300 g ground beef with the chopped onion. Season the mixture with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste, mixing thoroughly with your hands until the ingredients are well integrated. This step is crucial for evenly distributing the flavors.
3. Lay out 12 pastry wrappers on a clean surface. Place a small spoonful of the beef mixture in the center of each wrapper, being careful not to overfill to prevent tearing during cooking.
4. Fold each pastry wrapper over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly with your fingers or a fork to seal them, ensuring no filling escapes during frying.
5. In a large frying pan, pour enough oil to cover the bottom generously and heat over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot enough that a small piece of pastry dropped in sizzles immediately.
6. Carefully place the sealed pastries in the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry each side until the pastry is golden brown and crisp, which indicates that the filling is cooked through and the pastry has absorbed the flavors.
7. Once fried, remove the pastries from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. This will keep them crisp and not greasy.
8. Finish the pastries with a light sprinkle of fine sea salt while they are still hot. Serve immediately, allowing everyone to enjoy the warm, savory bites together.