Best Sambusak Recipes

SAMBUSAK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the dough: In the bowl of a food processor, combine all-purpose flour, semolina, butter, and salt; process until mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 seconds. While pulsing, add warm water in a slow, steady stream through feed tube, adding more, if necessary; process until dough just comes together. Dough should be soft and moist, not sticky. Cover bowl; set aside.
• Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, gently stir to combine cheese, egg, and salt, if using; set aside.
• On a work surface, divide dough into thirds; keep two-thirds dough covered in the bowl. With remaining one-third dough, form walnut-sized balls, 1 to 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Place sesame seeds in a small bowl; dip each ball into sesame seeds to cover halfway. Using a tortilla press or the palm of your hand, flatten each ball, sesame-side down, into a 2 1/2-inch circle. Place 1 scant teaspoon of filling into center of circle; fold dough over filling to enclose, forming a half-moon shape. Press edges together to seal, and crimp edges decoratively using the back of a fork. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet; cover with a damp towel to prevent drying out. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Sambusak can be frozen at this point for up to 3 months.
• Bake until edges are lightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes; do not allow sambusak to brown as filling will dry out. Serve warm.

SAMBUSAK (FILLED BEEF PASTRIES)

Steps:

• To make the pastry, first combine the flour and salt.
• Using an electric mixer, cream the margarine and gradually blend in the flour mixture.
• Add the water.
• Knead until a ball forms.
• Let the dough rest as you prepare the filling.
• To make the meat filling, saute the onion in oil until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the chopped meat and brown it, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 20 minutes.
• Let meat cool, then add the spices and pine nuts.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Spread the 1/2 cup of sesame seeds on a large plate.
• Break off walnut size pieces of dough.
• Shape each into a ball and dip it lightly on one side into the sesame seeds, then roll it, seed side down, into a 3-inch round.
• Place a teaspoon of filling in the center of the round.
• Fold it over to make a half-moon and crimp the edges together tightly so that filling will not burst through.
• (Sambusak can be frozen at this point. Place them in a single layer on a tray lined with wax paper and freeze them. Place frozen sambusak in double plastic bags and return them to the freezer. To bake frozen pastries, place them on ungreased baking sheets ) Place pastries on ungreased baking sheets and bake them for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden.

CHEESE SAMBUSAK FROM INDIA

Steps:

• Mix first 4 ingredients together.
• Cut in the butter and mix with your fingers or a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse meal.
• Add the water a little at a time until you have a moist, workable dough. Knead for 2 minutes. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Blend the cheeses, the egg and the pepper in a food processor until blended but not to the cosistency of a smooth paste. You want more of a chunky paste. Put in bowl and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Divide the dough into walnut size pieces. You should get about 20. Roll each one into a round ball and then roll out into a 4 inch pancake shape.
• Place 1 heaping tsp of the cheese filling on the bottom half of the circle. Moisten the edge of the bottom half and fold the top half over onto it, to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly with the tine of a fork.
• Place the turnovers on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minute or until light brown.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.