{"id":"sambusa_92bab03a05","slug":"african-beef-sambusas","title":"African Beef Sambusas","description":"Crispy, golden-brown pastry triangles filled with a savory, spiced ground beef and aromatic herb mixture, a classic snack popular across East Africa.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":35,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g ground beef","name":"Ground Beef","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"ground","notes":"lean","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 medium onions, finely diced","name":"Onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely diced","notes":"medium","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"3 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"tbsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"grated","notes":"fresh","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 teaspoon ground cumin","name":"Cumin","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric","name":"Turmeric","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom","name":"Cardamom","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped","name":"Cilantro","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"chopped","notes":"fresh","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 green chili, finely chopped","name":"Green chili","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"Salt and pepper to taste","name":"Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"2 cups all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"all-purpose","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"1/2 cup water","name":"Water","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"warm","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"2 tablespoons vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"for dough","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"Oil for deep frying","name":"Oil","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"qt","form":"","notes":"for frying","group":"Frying","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper.","group":"Filling Preparation","title":"In a large skillet","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Add the cumin, turmeric, cardamom, minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chili to the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.","group":"Filling Preparation","title":"Add the cumin, turmeric, cardamom, minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chili","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Filling Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Stir in the diced onions and cook until softened but not mushy. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh cilantro. Let the filling cool completely.","group":"Filling Preparation","title":"Stir in the diced onions","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"In a bowl, mix flour, water, and oil to form a smooth dough. Knead for 5 minutes, then cover and let rest for 15 minutes.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Mix flour, water, and oil","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Roll out small portions of dough into thin circles, cut into halves or thirds, and fold into cone shapes. Fill each cone with a tablespoon of beef mixture and seal the edges with a flour-water paste.","group":"Assembly","title":"Roll out small portions of dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Heat oil in a deep pan to 180°C (356°F). Fry the sambusas in batches until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.","group":"Frying","title":"Heat oil in a deep pan","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Frying"}],"notes":"Ensure the filling is relatively dry to keep the pastry crispy. You can substitute store-bought spring roll wrappers if you are short on time.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["East African"]},"course":["appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["skillet","mixing bowl","rolling pin","deep frying pan"],"diet":[],"allergens":["wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":20,"unit":"pieces","note":"Makes about 20-24 sambusas"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Sambusas can be assembled and frozen raw. Fry directly from frozen for an extra 2-3 minutes."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 175°C (347°F) to maintain crispiness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fsambusa_92bab03a05%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=6f1f33a3-6b32-4785-82bf-60dc1acb585f","imageAlt":"African Beef Sambusas — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["meat pie","pastry","spicy","savory","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"African Beef Sambusas","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:24:28.559Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:24:28.559Z","related":[{"id":"boli_cb6fb8f7eb","slug":"boli-roasted-plantain","title":"Boli (Roasted Plantain)","description":"A beloved West African street food staple consisting of sweet, ripe plantains grilled until caramelized and smoky. It is traditionally served with crunchy roasted groundnuts for the perfect balance of textures.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Nigerian","West African"]},"course":["side","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fboli_cb6fb8f7eb%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dc7467a3-0e95-473a-96b4-000ff7dd6c34","imageAlt":"Boli (Roasted Plantain) — recipe cover","tags":["boli","plantain","roasted plantain","african snack","nigerian food","street food","gluten free","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":6},{"id":"kelewele_64d882f651","slug":"kelewele-spiced-fried-plantains","title":"Kelewele (Spiced Fried Plantains)","description":"A classic Ghanaian street food snack featuring ripe plantains seasoned with a pungent ginger-garlic spice blend and fried until perfectly caramelized.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkelewele_64d882f651%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=94d0a5ab-eea0-47c2-8e3f-d581133b7d1e","imageAlt":"Kelewele (Spiced Fried Plantains) — recipe cover","tags":["plantain","street food","spicy","ghanaian","kelewele","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_1ac98ff201","slug":"tunisian-brik-with-egg-and-tuna","title":"Tunisian Brik with Egg and Tuna","description":"A classic North African snack featuring a thin, ultra-crispy pastry shell filled with savory tuna, briny capers, fresh parsley, and a whole egg that remains beautifully runny inside.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Tunisian"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["pescatarian","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_1ac98ff201%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=33c4ed05-8e8a-4bd5-86f8-6351930467f9","imageAlt":"Tunisian Brik with Egg and Tuna — recipe cover","tags":["brik","tunisian","crispy","egg","tuna","street food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}