Sfiha Iraqi Meat Pies
Created by Kari Ray
These exotic pizza-like pastries are a popular street food delicacy in Iraq. Stuffed with a delicious mixture of meat and spices, these will be the perfect appetizer for a Middle Eastern meal or fun finger foods for a night with the family.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- Hot chili pepper to taste
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb (or a mixture of both)
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp pine nuts
- 1 egg white, whisked
- pizza dough (homemade or store bought), rolled thinly (enough to make 8 6-inch squares
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add the onion and sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
- Add paprika, black pepper, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and chili pepper (optional) and stir until combined.
- Add the meat to the pan and mix well. Brown the meat mixture for about 5 minutes then add the parsley and tomatoes. Continue to cook for 5 – 10 more minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- In a dry skillet, toast the pine nuts, stirring constantly.
- Cut 8 6-inch squares from the thinly rolled out pizza dough.
- Divide filling among all pies (about 1/4 cup of filling for each pie).
- To fold, bring over each corner of the dough diagonally (similar to a pinwheel), creating a circular pie shape.
- Place the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush the dough of each pie with the egg white.
- Top with toasted pine nuts and bake at 400°F for about 10 – 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Serve hot and enjoy!
PREP TIME
30 minutesCOOK TIME
20 MINTOTAL TIME
50 minutesSERVING SIZE
1 pieYIELD
4-6 servingsRATING
[Total: 2 Average: 5/5]