Akras Kibbi Maklieh

Description
Fried Kibbi Balls

Ingredients

 * 32 oz (5 cups) fine burghul (cracked wheat)
 * 32 oz finely ground lean meat (ask for kibbi meat if available) or a combination of half lamb and half beef.
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1 large onion
 * 1 green chile (serrano or jalapeno) very finely minced
 * 1 cup iced water or ice
 * ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
 * ½ teaspoon ground allspice
 * 6 cups vegetable oil for deep frying

Filling

 * 16 oz minced meat
 * 2 tablespoons shortening, or peanut oil.
 * 5 medium onions, finely chopped
 * 1 cup fried pine nuts
 * ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
 * a pinch of salt
 * a dash of ground cinnamon
 * a dash of ground allspice

Directions

 * 1) Wash burghul under running water then soak in water for about 60 minutes.
 * 2) Drain, then press to remove moisture as much as possible.
 * 3) Mash onion in the food processor then add minced meat in batches.
 * 4) Remove and place aside.
 * 5) Mix meat mixture with burghul, salt, green chile, allspice, and cinnamon.
 * 6) Process well in batches into a firm paste.
 * 7) Knead mixture with wet hands into a smooth paste.
 * 8) Put in refrigerator for 30 minutes covered with a piece of wet texture.

Filling

 * 1) Fry chopped onion with a dash of salt in shortening until transparent.
 * 2) Add minced meat, salt and spices to onions and fry until cooked.
 * 3) Mix in pine nuts.
 * 4) Put filling aside.
 * 5) Divide paste into egg-sized balls dip your hands in cold water then roll each ball between the palms of your hands until smooth.
 * 6) Make a hole in the middle with your forefinger.
 * 7) Work finger round in the hole until you have a shell of even thickness.
 * 8) Fill hole with filling mixture and close opening.
 * 9) Moisten with cold water to seal well and to shape with two pointed sides.
 * 10) If any breaks appear in shell, close with wet fingers.
 * 11) Place balls on a tray.
 * 12) Heat oil in a pan then fry till brown evenly and cooked.
 * 13) Serve kibbi hot with tabouleh salad, or a hess cucumber salad, or a creamy cucumber dressing made with yoghurt.