Raw Kibbee : Kibbeh Nayyeh (4 servings)
| 1 kg |
Round steak or lamb (the leanest ) ( 'Habra" , that is the
part that is 100% red meat.. absolutely no white fat in it.) |
| 3/4 c |
Fine bulgar |
| 1 |
Green onion |
|
Salt, Cumin (or special Kibbeh Nayyeh spice mix of Aleppo red
pepper (fleefla halabiyya), pepper, cinnamon , hot cayenne pepper, dried mint leaves than
can be obtained from most Middle Eastern speciality stores ) |
| |
Olive oil |
Put bulgar in a bowl and cover with warm water. The water should cover the
bulgar and be about 2 cms above the bulgar. Let soak until water is absorbed and
bulgar is soft.(about 1/2 hour)
Remove all fat and membranes from meat ( I prefer lamb )
and grind twice. ( it is better grounded by hands not a food processor )
Combine meat, bulgar, cumin, salt , other spices , chopped parsley and one chopped
(finely chopped) green onion . Mix by hand until thoroughly mixed ( smash it on a marble
slab ).
Pat kibbee onto a serving platter and chill well . Remove just before serving .
Make a hole in middle of kibbee and fill with olive oil , garnish with parsley .
Serve with pita bread.
Some people make it with eggs ( Like the French Steak Tartar )
Isn't the Kibbeh Nayyeh health hazardous?
Yes and no.
If you grew up in the West and end up with dirty meat, E-Coli (a bacteria found in fecal
matter) can make you very sick and even kill you.
If you grew up near souq el-hamidiyyeh in Damascus drinking the 3irq-sus (liquorice )
from that guy who carries the tank on his back, or eating buza (ice cream ) or
almost anything from public places, YOU can make E-coli very sick.:-)
If you eat the Halabi (Aleppo's) Kibbeh Nayyeh, it's not the E-coli that will kill you,
it's the HOT peppers :-))
Joking aside, the important thing is to make sure the meat is aged and fresh, and
that you eat it the day you bring it home.