Meat and cheese pastries with zaatar – an aromatic and comforting delight
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 12 pastries
If you are looking for a quick and tasty appetizer recipe, these meat and cheese pastries flavored with zaatar are the perfect choice. Zaatar is a traditional Middle Eastern spice that adds a touch of freshness and flavor to your dishes. Moreover, the combination of meat and cheese makes these pastries ideal for both a quick snack and a festive meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of puff pastry (squares)
- 150 grams of minced beef
- 100 grams of sheep cheese
- 2 teaspoons of zaatar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 50 grams of pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon of meat spice (all spice, white pepper, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, nutmeg, cumin, cardamom, dried lemon)
- salt to taste
- 1 egg, beaten with a little water (for brushing)
Step 1: Preparing the ingredients
Start by thawing the puff pastry at room temperature for a few minutes. Make sure it is well spread out so that it can be easily cut. While the pastry is thawing, you can prepare the filling.
Step 2: Cheese filling
Grate the sheep cheese using a large grater. Add 2 teaspoons of zaatar and mix well. This simple yet flavorful filling will add a hearty taste to your pastries.
Step 3: Meat filling
In a pan, add olive oil and sauté the pine nuts until golden. Then, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent. Add the minced meat, spices, and salt to taste. Cook the mixture until the meat is well cooked through. Once ready, transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the toasted pine nuts, mixing well.
Step 4: Assembling the pastries
Roll out the thawed pastry and cut it into squares. Cut each square in half to form triangles. Place a tablespoon of cheese or meat filling in the center of each triangle. Fold the pastry in half and press the edges to seal the pastries well.
Step 5: Baking
Place the pastries on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush them with the beaten egg mixed with a little water and sprinkle cumin seeds or toasted sesame seeds on top for an attractive appearance and extra flavor. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and bake the pastries for about 20 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.
Step 6: Serving
After removing them from the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, then serve them warm or cold. These meat and cheese pastries are delicious alongside a fresh salad or a garlic yogurt dip. You can also experiment with other fillings, such as vegetables or mushrooms, to create delicious variations.
Useful tips:
- Zaatar can be made at home, adapting the ingredients to your preferences. Add your favorite spices, such as sweet cumin or sumac, for a distinct flavor.
- The pastries can be frozen before baking. Place them on a tray and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, you can transfer them to airtight bags and keep them for a quick snack.
- Use feta or ricotta cheese instead of sheep cheese for a creamier version.
Enjoy these meat and cheese pastries, flavored with zaatar, a simple and tasty recipe that will delight everyone! Bon appétit!
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 12 pastries
If you are looking for a quick and tasty appetizer recipe, these meat and cheese pastries flavored with zaatar are the perfect choice. Zaatar is a traditional Middle Eastern spice that adds a touch of freshness and flavor to your dishes. Moreover, the combination of meat and cheese makes these pastries ideal for both a quick snack and a festive meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of puff pastry (squares)
- 150 grams of minced beef
- 100 grams of sheep cheese
- 2 teaspoons of zaatar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 50 grams of pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon of meat spice (all spice, white pepper, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, nutmeg, cumin, cardamom, dried lemon)
- salt to taste
- 1 egg, beaten with a little water (for brushing)
Step 1: Preparing the ingredients
Start by thawing the puff pastry at room temperature for a few minutes. Make sure it is well spread out so that it can be easily cut. While the pastry is thawing, you can prepare the filling.
Step 2: Cheese filling
Grate the sheep cheese using a large grater. Add 2 teaspoons of zaatar and mix well. This simple yet flavorful filling will add a hearty taste to your pastries.
Step 3: Meat filling
In a pan, add olive oil and sauté the pine nuts until golden. Then, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent. Add the minced meat, spices, and salt to taste. Cook the mixture until the meat is well cooked through. Once ready, transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the toasted pine nuts, mixing well.
Step 4: Assembling the pastries
Roll out the thawed pastry and cut it into squares. Cut each square in half to form triangles. Place a tablespoon of cheese or meat filling in the center of each triangle. Fold the pastry in half and press the edges to seal the pastries well.
Step 5: Baking
Place the pastries on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush them with the beaten egg mixed with a little water and sprinkle cumin seeds or toasted sesame seeds on top for an attractive appearance and extra flavor. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and bake the pastries for about 20 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.
Step 6: Serving
After removing them from the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, then serve them warm or cold. These meat and cheese pastries are delicious alongside a fresh salad or a garlic yogurt dip. You can also experiment with other fillings, such as vegetables or mushrooms, to create delicious variations.
Useful tips:
- Zaatar can be made at home, adapting the ingredients to your preferences. Add your favorite spices, such as sweet cumin or sumac, for a distinct flavor.
- The pastries can be frozen before baking. Place them on a tray and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, you can transfer them to airtight bags and keep them for a quick snack.
- Use feta or ricotta cheese instead of sheep cheese for a creamier version.
Enjoy these meat and cheese pastries, flavored with zaatar, a simple and tasty recipe that will delight everyone! Bon appétit!