Musakhan Sambousik

Introducing a fusion of flavors fit for the festive spirit of Ramadan: Musakhan Sambousik! In this recipe, crispy pastry pockets filled aromatic sumac-seasoned chicken and caramelized onions, merging into a delightful fusion of flavors. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a Palestinian twist on the beloved sambousik.

More Snack Recipes To Try – Gobi Matar Samosa, Samosa Chaat, Tuna Samosas, Puran Samosa, Mutton Kheema Samosa, Mitto Samosa, Chicken Samosa

About This Recipe

Musakhan Sambousik is combination of two recipes Musakhan (Muhammar) and Sambousik (Sambousek). Both are delicious Middle Eastern dishes, each with its own unique flavor and ingredients.

Musakhan: This is a traditional Palestinian dish that consists of roasted chicken seasoned with sumac, allspice, and other spices, layered on top of taboon bread (a type of flatbread) and caramelized onions. It’s often garnished with toasted pine nuts and served with yogurt or a side salad. Musakhan is known for its rich, savory flavors and aromatic spices.

Sambousik: Sambousik is a popular appetizer or snack in various Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Jordan. It typically consists of small pastry pockets filled with a mixture of minced meat (often lamb or beef), onions, pine nuts, and spices such as cinnamon and allspice. The pastry is usually shaped into triangles or half-moons and then either fried or baked until crispy. Sambousik is often served hot and can be accompanied by various dips or sauces, such as tahini or yogurt-based sauces. You can easily find frozen Sambousik dough Middle-Eastern in supermarkets.

Combining the rich flavors of musakhan with the convenient and delicious sambousik creates a culinary masterpiece that’s both satisfying and easy to enjoy. Musakhan Sambousik and the crispy small onion samosa (street-style Irani samosa) share some similarities, particularly in their crispy pastry exterior and flavorful onion filling. Both dishes offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors that make them popular street food options.

Musakhan Sambousik Ingredients

• Boiled Chicken Breasts: These provide the protein base for the filling. Boiling chicken breasts ensures they’re cooked through and tender, making them easy to shred or cut into small, bite-sized pieces.
• Onions: Onions are a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, providing a sweet and savory flavor base. Finely chopping them allows them to caramelize evenly, enhancing their sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil is a key ingredient in both Palestinian and Middle Eastern cooking, adding richness and depth to the dish. Extra virgin olive oil brings a distinct flavor and aroma, contributing to the overall taste profile of the sambousik filling.
• Sumac: Sumac is a tart and tangy spice commonly used in Middle Eastern cooking. It adds a unique citrusy flavor and a vibrant red color to the dish. Sumac complements the chicken and onions, adding complexity to the filling.
• Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are often used as a garnish in Middle Eastern dishes, adding a nutty crunch and rich flavor. Frying them enhances their nuttiness and adds a golden color. They provide texture contrast to the soft filling and pastry shell.
• Salt and Pepper: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and helps balance the dish’s overall taste. Pepper adds a subtle heat and additional depth of flavor. Adjust the amount according to personal preference.
• Sambousik Dough: Sambousik dough is the pastry shell that encases the flavorful filling. You can make this from scratch using ingredients like flour, water, yeast, and oil. Or you can purchase pre-made from stores for convenience. The dough should be thin and crispy when fried or baked, providing a satisfying contrast to the savory filling.

Musakhan Sambousik

Fusion dishes often emerge as delightful surprises, blending the best of different culinary traditions into one delicious creation. Among these innovative concoctions stands Musakhan Sambousik, a tantalizing fusion of Palestinian and Middle Eastern flavors. Combining the rich and aromatic essence of musakhan with the convenient form of sambousik, results in a handheld treat that’s as delicious as it is satisfying.

The unique texture of sambousik dough strikes a perfect balance between the sturdiness of samosa dough and the delicacy of spring roll wrappers. This in-between texture is crucial for creating Musakhan Sambousik, as it ensures that the pastry shell can effectively contain the flavorful filling while achieving a satisfying crispness when cooked.

Compared to samosa dough, which tends to be thicker and more robust, sambousik dough is thinner and more pliable, allowing for easy folding and shaping without overwhelming the palate. This thinner texture also facilitates even cooking, ensuring that the pastry crisps up evenly without becoming overly dense or heavy.

On the other hand, sambousik dough is thicker than spring roll wrappers, which are renowned for their delicate, paper-thin texture. While spring roll wrappers provide a light and crispy exterior, they may not offer enough structure to hold the hearty filling of Musakhan Sambousik without tearing or falling apart during frying or baking.

As you take first bite of Musakhan Sambousik, you’re greeted by a symphony of flavors. The crispy exterior gives way to a succulent filling, bursting with the tangy notes of sumac, and the sweetness of caramelized onions. Each bite is a journey through the streets of Palestine, where tradition meets innovation in the most delicious way possible. Whether enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or part of Iftar meal during Ramadan, Musakhan Sambousik is sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.

Recipe of Musakhan Sambousik is by Nisreen of Monsters call me Mama. This recipe is a part of Joy From Fasting To Feasting – A Global Ramadan Event. Thank you Nisreen for joining this event and gracing us with this wonderful recipe.