Afghan Sambosa with Meat and Peas

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 small onion (finely diced)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 250 grams ground beef (or lamb)
• 1/4 cup frozen or boiled green peas (thawed)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves (chopped)
• 6 puff pastry squares (thawed)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• sesame seeds (to sprinkle on top)
• nigella seeds (as needed)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Prepare the minced meat filling ---

2. 2

   Prepare the minced meat filling: Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan like a cast iron over medium heat. Saute the chopped onion (reserve a tablespoon to add in the end), cumin powder, turmeric powder, and chilli flakes and cook until the onion is translucent.

3. 3

   Prepare the minced meat filling: Next, add the minced meat and saute until all of the meat is browned and cooked through. Make sure to break the meat clumps as you saute so that they are cooked evenly without any traces of raw red meat. Saute on high heat until all of the moisture is evaporated.

4. 4

   Prepare the minced meat filling: Now, add the thawed green peas along with salt to taste and saute until the peas are cooked. Taste and adjust the salt and spices as per your taste.

5. 5

   Prepare the minced meat filling: Switch off and stir in the reserved chopped onions and fresh coriander leaves. Transfer the meat filling into a bowl and keep it aside to cool before you can use it.

6. 6

   --- Prepare the puff pastry parcels ---

7. 7

   Prepare the puff pastry parcels: Preheat the oven to 180℃. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Take one puff pastry square and fold it to form a triangle. Seal the side of two corners and use the remaining side opening to fill as much as you can stuff with the meat mixture. Seal all sides either by the twist method or with a fork. (See pictures)

8. 8

   Prepare the puff pastry parcels: For the twist design, pinch the dough to extend then turn in while pulling out more for the next turn until you reach the other end. For the fork method, just use the fork to seal the edges while making the line marks.

9. 9

   --- Egg wash and topping ---

10. 10

    Egg wash and topping: Brush the outside of each stuffed puff pastry with the whisked egg or a mix of yolk and milk.

11. 11

    Egg wash and topping: Sprinkle the top with black seeds and sesame seeds.

12. 12

    --- Bake and serve ---

13. 13

    Bake and serve: Place the stuffed meat samosas at least 2 inches apart from each. Bake the stuffed puff pastries in the preheated oven on the middle rack for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.

14. 14

    Bake and serve: Serve with tea or coffee or you may choose to serve with mint yoghurt dip.