Sambusak (sephardic stuffed pastries)

6 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
2 tablespoons Active dry yeast (2 packages)
2 cups Lukewarm water, divided
1 pinch Of sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
½ pounds Pareve (without meat or milk products) margarine
2 pounds Sifted all-purpose flour (about 8 cups)
1 tablespoon Ground anise
Vegetable oil for frying
Meat Filling (recipe follows)

Directions

Directions: Procedure: Dissolve the yeast in about cup warm water with a pinch of sugar.

Add salt, remaining water, margarine and some of the flour. Gradually add the remaining flour and the anise. Blend with your hands and knead well. If the dough is too soft or sticky, add more flour.

Place in a greased bowl and let rise, covered, until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour). Punch down, knead again and let rise again until doubled.

Take a piece of dough the size of a plum and roll it into a ball.

Press it down on a floured board until it flattens into a circle.

Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center. Fold over and pinch into a half- moon shape.

Heat oil to 375 degrees. Deep-fry until golden. Drain and serve.

Meat Filling

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 bunch scallions, diced 1 pound very lean ground meat Dash of garlic powder, ginger, turmeric 1 teaspoon cinnamon Salt to taste

Procedure: Heat oil, add scallions, meat, spices. Keep turning meat as it browns. When cooked, turn up the heat so all the water evaporates. Cool.

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