Spinach and Cheese Sambousek, Lebanese Spinach and Cheese Ghughras
by Tarla Dalal
Shaped and prepared like ghughras, the Spinach and Cheese Sambousek is a famous Lebanese dish that features a plain flour shell containing a succulent spinach and cheese mixture. We have used crumbled feta cheese as it gives the most authentic flavour and texture to this dish.
The spinach and cheese mixture is perked up with chopped onions, garlic and aromatic Baharat powder, an exquisite Lebanese spice powder that has the sharp flavour of pepper and red chillies along with other spices like cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. Roasted and chopped walnuts added to the stuffing increase the appeal of this dish. Serve the Lebanese Spinach and Cheese Ghughras hot and fresh to enjoy the crispness of the shell along with the soft, crumbly consistency of the stuffing.
A must in the Mezze Platter .
Spinach and Cheese Sambousek, Lebanese Spinach and Cheese Ghughras recipe - How to make Spinach and Cheese Sambousek, Lebanese Spinach and Cheese Ghughras
Preparation Time: Cooking Time: Total Time:
Makes 15 sambousiks
For The Dough
1 cup plain flour (maida)
salt to taste
2 tbsp oil
For The Spinach and Cheese Mixture
1 cup blanched and chopped spinach (palak)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tsp oil
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 tsp finely chopped garlic (lehsun)
1/2 tsp baharat powder
salt to taste
2 tbsp roasted and chopped walnuts (akhrot)
Other Ingredients
plain flour (maida) for rolling
oil for deep-frying
For the dough
- For the dough
- Combine all the ingredients in a deep bowl, mix well and knead into semi-stiff dough using enough water.
For spinach and cheese mixture
- For spinach and cheese mixture
- 1. Heat the oil in a broad non-stick pan, add the onions and garlic and sauté on a medium flame for 2 minutes.
- Add the spinach, baharat powder and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture in a deep bowl, add the feta cheese and walnuts, mix well. Divide the mixture into 15 equal portions. Keep aside.
How to proceed
- How to proceed
- Divide the dough into 15 equal portions and roll a portion of the dough into a 100 mm. (4") diameter circle using a little plain flour for rolling.
- Place a portion of spinach and cheese mixture in the centre. Fold it over to make a semi-circle. Seal the ends completely using a little water.
- Twist the edges.
- Repeat for the remaining dough circles and stuffing to make 14 more sambousek.
- Heat the oil in a deep non-stick kadhai and deep-fry, a few sambousek at a time on a slow flame till they turn golden brown in colour from all the sides. Drain on an absorbent paper.
- Serve immediately.
Can we substitute paneer for feta cheese?
Very tasty and appealing recipe
This was very cheesy in taste.. i loved the stuffing and the flavour.. Easy to make.. and also had a crispy covering.. which was really nice..