Samboosa Recipe

Definition

Samboosa (also known as Samosa) is little delicious savory patties served as an appetizer or snack, and can be filled with ground beef, lamb, chicken, cheese, lentils or vegetables. It’s famous in the Middle East and served a lot in Ramadan. To make samboosa healthier, it’s recommended to:

Samboosa - a delicious dish in Ramadan

• Use whole wheat flour.
• Use lean beef or lamb or skinless chicken, or low fat cheese, while lentils or mixed vegetable Samboosas are rich in fiber, antioxidants and more heart-friendly than meat Samboosas.
• Bake it rather than fry it.
• Use healthy oil in making the dough and use it in moderation.
• Limit the amount of salt added.

Baked Vegetable Samboosa

Ingredients for stuffing:
• Three potatoes (finely diced)
• Three carrots (finely diced)
• Two cloves of crushed garlic
• Two onions (finely chopped)
• One cup vegetable stock
• One cup of green peas (canned or frozen)
• One tablespoon of corn oil or sunflower oil
• One tablespoon of coriander (finely chopped)
• One teaspoon ginger (crushed)
• Two teaspoons of cumin powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional (one tablespoon of finely chopped green chilies)

Method:
• Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the onion, garlic and spices, and stir until soft
• Add the vegetables and stir well.
• Add the vegetable stock, cover and simmer for 30 minutes until cooked.

Baking Samboosa in the Oven

Samboosas are traditionally fried, but it’s recommended to bake them in the oven as it is more convenient and healthier. Two pieces of fried Samboosa provide 400 calories; if baked they provide around 200 calories.

• Use oil-free dough, or pastry sheets, or prepare the dough at home by using (one cup whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour, water, 2 tablespoons corn oil, yeast, little salt, warm water), mix them and let them set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Fill each pastry sheet with the vegetable mixture, and press the two edges together, or fold the sheets in triangle shapes.
• Put the Samboosa on a lightly greased baking tray, using little corn oil, or use a brush to spread the oil on the tray.
• Heat the oven at 200 degrees F, for 30 minutes.
• Bake for 20 minutes until getting golden color.
• Cool on a wire tray after removing from the oven.

Yield: 12 pieces (2 for one serving)

TIP: Samboosas can be just as delicious when baked instead of fried.