Baked Kibbeh

Step by stepInstructions

1. Soak the bulgur in cold water for 15 minutes, then drain and squeeze out every drop of excess water with your hands.
2. Make the filling: heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook half the onion until golden, about 8 minutes. Add 1/2 lb of the ground beef, half the allspice and cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in the pine nuts and set aside.
3. Make the shell: combine the soaked bulgur, remaining ground beef, remaining onion, remaining spices, and salt in a food processor and pulse until it forms a smooth, stiff paste. With the machine running, add the cold water 1 tablespoon at a time.
4. Preheat the oven to 375°F and brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with some of the melted butter.
5. Press half the shell mixture into the dish in an even layer. Spread the filling on top, then press the remaining shell mixture over it, smoothing the top.
6. Score the top into diamonds with a knife, brush with the remaining melted butter, and bake until deeply golden and crisp, about 45 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before cutting along the scored lines.