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Persian Meat Pastry Bites

Serves 4 to 6 Appetizer meat, Appetizers

Persian Meat Pastry Bites

Persian Meat Pastry Bites are a cherished staple on Persian home tables, where they are crafted with a generous hand for family and friends alike. This dish brings the warmth of a Persian kitchen to life, with each bite offering a glimpse into the everyday gatherings that define home-cooked Persian meals. It's a dish that doesn't need a special occasion to shine, yet it always feels special when it's served.

Biting into one of these crispy, golden parcels reveals a savory core of seasoned ground beef and tender onions, all enveloped in a delicate pastry shell. The balance of flavors is simple yet masterful, with each component playing its part to create a comforting and satisfying mouthful. These bites are best enjoyed warm, straight from the pan, where their crisp exterior and juicy filling can be truly appreciated.

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 integrates well with the ground beef. Set the chopped onion aside. Lay out 12 pastry wrappers on a clean surface to have them ready for filling.
  2. In a medium-sized skillet, heat a generous amount of oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion. Sauté the onion until it turns translucent and begins to develop golden edges, releasing a sweet aroma.
  3. Add 300 g of ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces, ensuring it browns evenly. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and has absorbed the flavors of the onion, which should take on a slightly caramelized appearance.
  4. Season the beef and onion mixture with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the mixture. The beef should be well-seasoned, enhancing its natural flavors without overpowering them.
  5. Take a pastry wrapper and place a spoonful of the beef mixture in the center. Fold the wrapper over the filling, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling, ensuring each pastry is tightly sealed to prevent leakage during cooking.
  6. In a clean skillet, heat more oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the filled pastry bites in the skillet. Fry them until the wrappers are golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking on all sides.
  7. Once the pastry bites are golden and crispy, remove them from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Sprinkle a final touch of salt over the hot pastries to enhance their flavor.
  8. Serve the Persian Meat Pastry Bites immediately while they are hot and crispy. Arrange them on a platter for sharing, inviting everyone to enjoy this flavorful and satisfying dish.
Cover of Authentic Persian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Persian Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

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