Learn how to make delicious Lebanese mini pies from the comfort of your own home. This video guide will take you through a simple and easy-to-follow recipe to create these tasty treats. Lebanese mini pies, also known as fatayer, are a popular Middle Eastern snack that can be filled with a variety of ingredients such as spinach, cheese, and meat. With this recipe, you’ll be able to make authentic-tasting Lebanese mini pies that are perfect for snacking, entertaining, or as a side dish. So why not give it a try and enjoy the delicious flavors of Lebanon in the convenience of your own home.
Imagine stepping into a cozy kitchen, the air filled with the enticing aroma of freshly baked dough, fragrant spices, and herbs. Today, we embark on a delightful culinary journey, crafting Lebanese mini pies right in the comfort of your own home. These bite-sized treasures known as fatayer are a beloved staple in Lebanese cuisine. Celebrated for their flaky crusts and flavorful fillings. Whether served as an appetizer, a snack, or even a light meal, Lebanese mini pies offer a tapestry of tastes and textures that enchant both the eyes and the pallet. The beauty of Lebanese mini pies lies in their variety. From the tangy spinach fatier to the savory meata and the creamy cheese sambosk, each pie tells a story of tradition, family, and the vibrant culinary heritage of Lebanon. Making these pies at home not only brings authenticity to your table, but also invites you to experience the joy of hands-on baking, where each step is infused with warmth and care. Let’s begin with the foundation, the dough. Lebanese pie dough is soft yet sturdy enough to hold generous fillings and bakes to a golden, lightly crisp perfection. It all starts with simple ingredients: flour, yeast, water, olive oil, salt, and a touch of sugar. Combine warm water with yeast and sugar, allowing the mixture to bloom and froth, a sign that the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Then, slowly incorporate the yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead until the dough transforms into a smooth, elastic ball, supple to the touch. Cover with a clean towel and let it rest. Giving the yeast time to leaven and the dough to rise into a pillowy mound. While the dough rises, let’s prepare the fillings. Each variety of Lebanese mini pie is defined by its unique blend of ingredients, spices, and textures. For spinach fetayer, start by rinsing fresh spinach leaves and chopping them finely. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and let them sit. This draws out excess moisture, ensuring the filling won’t make your pies soggy. Squeeze dry. Then mix the spinach with diced onions, tangy sumac, lemon juice, olive oil, and a hint of pepper. Sumac with its tart lemony flavor is a quintessential Lebanese spice, brightening the filling and balancing the earthy spinach. The result is a vibrant, zesty mixture that bursts with flavor in every bite. Next, for the meat pies or spha, choose highquality ground beef or lamb. Sauté finely chopped onions until translucent. Then add the meat, breaking it up as it browns, seasoned generously with allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. A classic Lebanese blend that infuses the filling with warmth and depth. For an authentic touch, mix in a bit of pomegranate molasses, tomato paste, and toasted pine nuts. The pomegranate molasses add subtle sweetness and acidity while the pine nuts bring a delightful crunch. Allow the mixture to cool before filling your pies, ensuring the dough remains crisp during baking. For cheese sambusk, select a combination of creamy, tangy cheeses. Akawi cheese is traditional, but you can substitute with mozzarella, feta, or ricotta for a similar taste and texture. Crumble the cheese and blend with chopped parsley and a pinch of nigella seeds. The parsley adds freshness while the nigella seeds impart a gentle nutty flavor, elevating the cheese to new heights. With the dough risen and fillings prepared, it’s time to assemble the mini pies. Divide the dough into small balls, rolling each into a thin circle. Spoon a generous amount of filling into the center of each round. For spinach fat, fold the dough into a triangle. pinching the edges tightly to seal. For meats fiha, gather the edges to form an open-faced square or circle, allowing the savory filling to peek through. For cheese sambusk, fold into half moons and crimp the edges with a fork, ensuring the creamy filling stays encased. Arrange the pies on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush each with a light glaze of olive oil or egg wash, which gives the crust a beautiful sheen and added flavor. Bake in a preheated oven until the pies are golden brown, the dough crisp and the fillings bubbling with goodness. As the pies bake, the kitchen fills with the intoxicating scent of spices and fresh dough, a promise of the delicious meal to come. Once baked, allow the pies to cool slightly before serving. Lebanese mini pies are best enjoyed warm, their flavors at their peak. Arrange them on a platter garnished with fresh mint or parsley and perhaps a wedge of lemon for squeezing. The sight of golden pies nestled together is a feast for the senses. A testament to the care and love put into their making. Biting into a spinach fatier, you’re greeted by the tang of lemon and sumac, the earthiness of spinach, and the soft yielding dough. The meata offers a different experience. rich spiced beef or lamb, sweet onions, and the subtle crunch of pine nuts, all enveloped in a flaky crust. The cheese sambusk with its melty herbed filling is a comfort food par excellence. Each bite creamy and satisfying. Lebanese mini pies are more than just a meal. They are a celebration. In Lebanon, these pies are a centerpiece at family gatherings, holiday feasts, and casual get togethers. They are shared among friends, passed around the table, and enjoyed with laughter and conversation. Their small size makes them perfect for sampling every variety, creating a communal experience where everyone finds their favorite. Making these pies at home invites creativity, too. You can experiment with fillings, adding roasted vegetables, spicy sausage, or even sweet ingredients like dates and nuts for a dessert twist. The dough can be made with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor or infused with herbs for an aromatic touch. Each batch becomes a reflection of your tastes and imagination. A fusion of tradition and innovation. Accompany your Lebanese mini pies with classic sides and dips for a complete feast. A bowl of creamy hummus drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with paprika is an ideal partner. Baba ganoush with its smoky eggplant base offers a robust counterpoint. A simple salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and parsley dressed with lemon and olive oil provides freshness and crunch. And don’t forget a cup of mint tea. Its soothing aroma, the perfect compliment to the savory pies. The process of making Lebanese mini pies at home is both simple and rewarding. It begins with basic ingredients, flour, yeast, fresh vegetables, quality meats, and good cheese, and transforms them into something extraordinary. It is a labor of love, a chance to slow down, savor each step, and connect with the traditions of a rich culinary heritage. Whether you are an experienced cook or a curious beginner, these pies are accessible and forgiving, inviting you to learn, taste, and grow. The story of Lebanese mini pies is also the story of resilience and adaptation. Across generations and continents, families have passed down their recipes, adjusting to new ingredients and kitchens, yet always preserving the essence of their culinary roots. Baking these pies at home honors that legacy, bringing together old and new, and creating memories with every batch. As you enjoy your homemade Lebanese mini pies, take a moment to appreciate the journey. From the bubbling yeast to the careful folding of dough to the first warm bite, it is an experience that nourishes both body and spirit, the flavors linger, inviting you to return again and again, to bake, share, and celebrate. In the end, Lebanese mini pies are more than just delicious. They are an invitation. An invitation to explore, to connect, and to savor. To gather loved ones, fill your home with laughter and the aroma of spices. and to discover the simple joy of baking. With each pie, you bring a piece of Lebanon’s rich culinary history into your own kitchen, creating a bridge between cultures and generations. So whether you are preparing a feast for friends, or simply seeking a comforting treat, Lebanese mini pies are a perfect choice. Their flaky crusts, vibrant fillings, and irresistible flavors make them a standout in any repertoire. A testament to the power of good food to bring people together. Gather your ingredients, roll out the dough, and let the magic begin. With every bite, you celebrate tradition, creativity, and the timeless pleasure of homemade Lebanese mini pies.
Dining and Cooking