Samboosa Omaniya
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Spring roll or samosa wrappers — 12
- Minced beef or lamb — 250 g (9 oz)
- Onion, finely chopped — 1
- Garlic, minced — 2 cloves
- Ground cumin — 1 tsp
- Curry powder — 1 tsp
- Cinnamon — 1/2 tsp
- Oil for deep frying
- Salt and pepper — to taste
- Flour mixed with water, for sealing — 1 tbsp
Method
- Heat a little oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
- Add the minced meat, cumin, curry powder and cinnamon, cooking until the meat is browned and cooked through; season with salt and pepper and cool slightly.
- Cut the wrappers into strips and fold into triangular pockets, filling each with a spoonful of the meat mixture.
- Seal the edges with the flour-water paste.
- Heat oil to 175°C (350°F) and deep-fry the samboosa until golden and crisp, about 3–4 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels before serving.
Introduction: Crisp, triangular pastries filled with spiced minced meat, a beloved Omani starter especially popular during Ramadan.
Cultural Background: Samboosa reflects Oman's Indian Ocean trade connections, and the Omani version, filled with a warmly spiced meat mixture, is prepared in great quantities during Ramadan, sold at markets and made at home for family gatherings.
Tips: Seal the edges well to stop the filling escaping during frying. Let the filling cool slightly before assembling so it doesn't make the wrappers soggy.
Variations: Use a spiced vegetable filling of potato and peas for a vegetarian version. Serve with a tamarind or chilli dipping sauce.
Storage: Store cooled samboosa in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, or refrigerate for 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat in an oven at 190°C (375°F) for 8–10 minutes, or an air fryer for 5 minutes.
FAQs:
Q: Can samboosa be baked instead of fried?
A: Yes, brush lightly with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15–20 minutes, turning once.
Q: Why is samboosa especially popular during Ramadan?
A: It's a common dish for breaking the fast, prepared in large quantities and shared among family and neighbours.
- Spring roll or samosa wrappers — 12
- Minced beef or lamb — 250 g (9 oz)
- Onion, finely chopped — 1
- Garlic, minced — 2 cloves
- Ground cumin — 1 tsp
- Curry powder — 1 tsp
- Cinnamon — 1/2 tsp
- Oil for deep frying
- Salt and pepper — to taste
- Flour mixed with water, for sealing — 1 tbsp
Please log in to leave a comment.