Kibbeh with Salsa Cruda

Ingredients

• •1 cup fine bulgur wheat
• •1 lb ground beef or lamb
• •1 small onion, grated
• •1 tsp ground cumin
• •1/2 tsp allspice
• •1 tsp kosher salt
• •1/2 tsp black pepper
• •Oil for frying
• •2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• •1/4 small white onion, finely chopped
• •1 jalapeño or serrano chile, minced
• •2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• •1 lime, juiced

Instructions

1. 1

   Soak the bulgur until softened, then drain very well.

2. 2

   Mix half the ground meat with the bulgur, grated onion, cumin, allspice, salt, and pepper to make the kibbeh shell mixture.

3. 3

   Cook the remaining meat with a little onion and seasoning for the filling, then cool it.

4. 4

   Form oval shells of the bulgur mixture, stuff with the cooked meat, and seal carefully.

5. 5

   Fry or bake the kibbeh until browned and cooked through.

6. 6

   For the salsa cruda, combine chopped tomatoes, onion, chile, cilantro, and lime juice.

7. 7

   Season the salsa with salt and let it sit briefly.

8. 8

   Serve the hot kibbeh with the fresh salsa spooned over or alongside.