Beef & Veggie Pie

Beef & Veggie Pies, this is Naela's version of sfeeha. Sfeeha is a pocket or flatbread baked with a mixture of ground meat, often lamb or beef, flavored with onion, tomato, pine nuts, parsley and spices. It is traditionally found in the countries of the Levant, and is closely related to manakish and lahmacun. 

Prepare the basic dough:

• 4 cups all- purpose flour (preferable unbleached flour)
• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ cup warm water for kneading.

By hand or dough mixer, knead until smooth then cover and wait 45 minutes until it doubles in size.

The meat mix:

• 1 pound of ground beef or lamb
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup of diced veggies - preferably peas & carrots (fresh or frozen)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• ¼ tsp ground cardamom
• ¼ tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
• 1 tbsp tahini

In a large skillet with little oil over medium-high heat, stir in the ground beef, onion, mixed veggies and all the other spices and cook well. Now add the pomegranate molasses and tahini, combine well.

After the dough has risen, divide it into even round balls to your desired size. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Prepare the baking trays - grease, spray or parchment.

Roll each dough to a ¼ inch thick, then top each with 2 tbsp of the meat mix and fold in any shape of your choice, square or round.

You may add an egg wash for added shine (mix 1 egg with ¼ tsp white vinegar). 

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 25 minutes on the middle rack.

Broil 1-2 minutes if necessary for a golden crisp. Enjoy!