Sambusa Ethiopian Savory Pastries Recipe

Cook Time: 35 minutes  

   Prep Time: 20 minutes

Sambusa Ethiopian Savory Pastries Ingredients

Sambusa Ethiopian Savory Pastries Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the niter kibbeh.
  2. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and diced green chili (if using), and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle in the berbere spice blend, ground coriander, ground cardamom, ground cumin, ground black pepper, and kosher salt, stirring well to combine.
  6. Mix in the cooked green lentils, chopped cilantro, and chopped parsley, and cook for another 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
  7. Remove the filling from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
  8. Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough or a sambusa wrapper on a clean surface and brush lightly with melted unsalted butter.
  9. Cut the dough into strips about 3 inches wide.
  10. Place a heaping tablespoon of the cooled filling at one end of each strip.
  11. Fold the corner of the strip over the filling to form a triangle, then continue folding the triangle along the strip, encasing the filling completely.
  12. Brush the final edge with a little more melted butter and press to seal the sambusa.
  13. Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.
  14. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C).
  15. Fry the sambusas in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
  16. Remove the sambusas with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.

Estimated Calories: 180, Servings: 8

Recommended Dishes

About Yetsom Sambusa Recipe

If you're on the hunt for the best homemade snack, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite: Yetsom Sambusa! This Ethiopian Sambusa recipe is my go-to whenever I want something quick, easy, and absolutely delicious. I promise, even if you're not a pro in the kitchen, you'll find this recipe simple to follow. The ingredients are easy to find, and the steps are so straightforward that you'll wonder why you ever bought frozen sambusas in the first place. Plus, nothing beats the aroma of authentic sambusas wafting through your home-except maybe the taste!
Let's talk about how to make these tasty treats. The secret to the perfect Ethiopian Sambusa is all in the filling. Whether you're a veggie lover or a meat enthusiast, you can tweak the ingredients to suit your cravings. I always use a mix of lentils, onions, and a blend of spices that give it that authentic flavor. My top tips? Don't skimp on the spices, and make sure your pastry is thin and crispy. Trust me, once you master this easy recipe, you'll be making sambusas for every occasion-birthdays, holidays, or just because you're hungry and want something quick and delicious.
If you're still wondering how to make the best sambusa, let me assure you: this recipe is foolproof. Even my neighbor, who once burned water, managed to whip up a batch that was pretty tasty! The key is to follow the simple steps, use fresh ingredients, and don't be afraid to get your hands a little messy. With these tips, you'll have the perfect homemade Ethiopian Sambusa every time. So grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and get ready to impress your friends and family with the most delicious, authentic, and easy sambusa recipe out there!

Yetsom Sambusa Story

You know, when I first encountered this dish, I was not impressed. I thought, "Oh great, another thing that looks like it was invented during a power outage." My friends would rave about it, but I was convinced they were just trying to trick me into eating something weird. I mean, I was the kid who thought the best recipe was the one that involved microwaving a frozen pizza. If it was not fast, easy, and came with a cartoon mascot, I was not interested. My taste buds were basically on a steady diet of indifference and mild suspicion.
But then, something changed. Maybe it was adulthood, maybe it was peer pressure, or maybe I just got tired of eating cereal for dinner. I gave it another shot, and suddenly I realized, "Hey, this is actually pretty good!" It was like my palate had finally graduated from community college. I started to appreciate how quick and easy it was to enjoy, and I even found myself Googling the recipe at two in the morning. I was not ready to call it delicious just yet, but I was definitely warming up to it. My standards were evolving, and so was my waistline, but in a healthy direction for once.
Now, I am a full-blown convert. I will defend this dish like it is my own child. I have become that annoying person who insists, "You have not lived until you have tried this!" I have learned that the best things in life are sometimes the ones you ignore at first, like flossing or reading the instructions. It is not just good, it is great, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. I have even started making it at home, and let me tell you, nothing makes you feel more accomplished than pulling off a recipe that is both fast and delicious. Who knew my journey from indifference to obsession would be so easy?

Yetsom Sambusa Pairings

You know, when it comes to flavors, Ethiopian food is like the United Nations of spices. Seriously, you open up a spice cabinet in Ethiopia and it is like a party in there. Berbere, mitmita, cardamom-these are not just spices, they are the best hype men for your taste buds. I mean, if you want a quick way to wake up your mouth, just try a little berbere. It is like a delicious alarm clock, but instead of snooze, you get flavor. And let us be honest, if you are looking for a healthy way to spice up your life, Ethiopian flavors are a good recipe for excitement. Forget bland, this is the culinary version of a roller coaster-fast, thrilling, and you might scream a little.
Now, let us talk about sides, because no one ever said, "I want just one thing on my plate." Ethiopians know how to do sides right. You get a little lentil salad, some tangy gomen, and of course, injera-the best edible plate you will ever meet. I mean, who invented this? It is like someone said, "Let us make a bread that is also a napkin, a utensil, and a tablecloth." That is efficiency! If you want an easy way to impress your friends, just serve a quick platter of Ethiopian sides. They will think you spent all day cooking, but really, you just know a good recipe for delegation. Delicious and fast-my two favorite things, right after free WiFi.
And drinks! You cannot have a great Ethiopian meal without something to wash it down. Forget your fancy cocktails, have you tried Ethiopian honey wine, tej? It is like mead, but with a PhD in being awesome. Or maybe you want to keep it healthy and go for a good cup of spiced Ethiopian coffee. That stuff is so strong, it will make you see the future. And if you are in a hurry, just grab a quick glass of t'alla, the local beer. It is the best way to make new friends, or at least forget your old ones for a while. So next time you are planning a meal, remember: the right drink is not just a pairing, it is a recipe for a delicious time.

Yetsom Sambusa Tips

If you want your homemade Yetsom Sambusa to be the best, you've got to treat those wrappers like they're the last pair of clean socks before laundry day-handle with care! The secret to a quick and easy recipe is not overstuffing. Seriously, don't get greedy. If you try to cram in too many ingredients, you'll end up with a sambusa explosion that's less "authentic Ethiopian snack" and more "abstract art on your baking tray."
Let's talk about how to make these tasty triangles truly pop. The perfect sambusa is all about balance: crispy on the outside, delicious and flavorful on the inside. Want to know my top tips? Don't skip the step where you seal the edges with a little water or flour paste. Otherwise, you'll be fishing for filling in the oil like it's a game of culinary bobbing for apples. And for that authentic taste, make sure your spices are fresh-stale spices are the culinary equivalent of telling a joke and forgetting the punchline.
If you're aiming for a simple, quick recipe, prep your filling ahead of time. That way, when it's time to assemble, you're not running around the kitchen like you're on a cooking game show. And here's a pro move: let the filling cool before stuffing. Hot filling will steam up your wrappers faster than a sauna on discount day, and nobody wants soggy sambusa.
For the best results, fry in small batches. Overcrowding the pan is like inviting too many people to a tiny party-nobody gets enough space, and things get awkward fast. Want your sambusa to be extra crispy and delicious? Drain them on a rack, not paper towels. That way, they stay crunchy and don't get soggy bottoms. Because, let's face it, nobody likes a soggy bottom-whether it's pastries or pants.
Remember, the perfect homemade sambusa is all about using the right ingredients and a little bit of patience. With these tips, your easy, authentic recipe will be the star of any gathering. And if anyone asks for your secret, just wink and say, "It's all in the technique-and maybe a little bit of luck!"

Yetsom Sambusa Quick Mistake Fixes

You ever notice how some people think the best way to season food is to just dump the entire salt shaker in? Like, are you trying to preserve this for the apocalypse or just ruin my blood pressure? I had a sambusa once that was so salty, I swear I could have used it to thaw my driveway in winter. If you want a healthy snack, maybe try not making it taste like the Dead Sea. A good sambusa should make you reach for a napkin, not a gallon of water. Seriously, if I wanted to taste pure salt, I'd just lick a pretzel and call it a day.
Let's talk about soggy sambusas. You ever bite into one and it's like someone wrapped your filling in a wet paper towel? That's not delicious, that's just sad. I want a quick, crispy bite, not a pastry that feels like it's been sitting in a sauna. The best sambusas have that great crunch, not the texture of a damp sock. If your sambusa is soggy, maybe it's time to invest in a new frying pan or just admit you're running a spa for dough. Fast food should be easy to eat, not easy to wring out.
Now, balancing flavors at the last minute is an art form. You ever see someone panic and just start throwing in random spices like they're casting a spell? "A pinch of this, a dash of that, and maybe some cinnamon because why not?" Suddenly your sambusa tastes like a confused dessert. The best cooks know how to make a quick adjustment without turning the whole thing into a science experiment. A good sambusa is all about harmony, not a flavor brawl. Remember, it's easy to add, but impossible to subtract, unless you have a time machine or a very forgiving dinner guest.