Mutabbaq

Ingredients

• 500 gminced meat, beef or lamb
• 1 1/2 tbspgarlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tbspginger, fresh, minced
• 1 tspsalt
• 1 tsppaprika
• 1 tspground cumin
• 1 tspallspice, ground
• 1 tspturmeric
• 1 tspblack pepper, ground
• 1 tspsugar
• 1egg, beaten; mixed into filling
• 1tomato, large, finely chopped
• 4scallions, finely chopped
• 12filo pastry, sheets; or spring roll wrappers
• 1 1/2 cupmelted butter, for brushing and sealing pastry
• oil, for frying

Method

1. 1

   Heat a little oil in a frying pan. Fry the garlic and ginger, then add the mince and all the spices. Cook until the meat is browned through. Leave to cool.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, combine the cooled spiced mince with the beaten egg, chopped tomato and scallions. Mix well.

3. 3

   Take 2 sheets of filo pastry and brush with melted butter. Place some filling in the centre and fold the pastry into a parcel. Brush more butter on the sealed edges. Repeat with remaining filling and pastry.

4. 4

   Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the parcels on all sides and edges until golden brown. Alternatively, brush all over with melted butter and bake at 180C for 10 to 15 minutes.