Middle Eastern Delights: A Family Favorite

Growing up, the aroma of this traditional Lebanese dish always meant something special was happening in our kitchen. Today, I'm excited to share this simple yet delicious recipe that brings people together around the dinner table.

Let's start with the bulgur, a nutritious cracked wheat that's been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine for thousands of years! First, give it a good rinse under cold water and let it soak for 10 minutes. Fun fact: bulgur is actually pre-cooked wheat, which is why it doesn't need long soaking times like regular wheat! After soaking, drain it well – you don't want soggy kibbeh!

Now comes the fun part! In a mixing bowl, we're combining our soaked bulgur with ground beef, finely chopped onion, and the magical touch of cinnamon. Did you know cinnamon was once considered more valuable than gold in ancient times? Add salt and pepper, and mix everything thoroughly. Pro tip: If your mixture feels too wet, add a little more bulgur; if it's too dry, a tiny splash of water will help.

Time to get your hands dirty! Shape the mixture into small balls (about the size of a golf ball) and gently flatten them. If the mixture sticks to your hands, try wetting them with a little cold water – works like a charm!

Next, heat up your olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Remember, we don't need the oil super hot – we want to cook these patties evenly, not burn them!

Here's a special touch that makes all the difference: frying pine nuts until they're golden brown. Be careful though – pine nuts can go from perfect to burnt in seconds! Remove them and set aside. Fun fact: pine nuts come from pine cones and have been harvested for over 10,000 years!

Now for the main event: cooking our kibbeh patties! They need about 5 minutes on each side until they're beautifully browned. Tip: Don't flip them too early – wait until you see the edges getting brown.

Finally, arrange your kibbeh on a plate and sprinkle those golden pine nuts on top. The contrast between the crispy nuts and the savory patties is simply amazing!

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