Lebanese Shish Barak: Meat-Stuffed Dumplings To Die For!

Lebanese cuisine is known for its rich flavors and unique dishes, and one of the most popular Lebanese dishes is shish barak. Lebanese shish barak is a traditional dish that consists of small dough pockets filled with seasoned ground meat, cooked in a yogurt-based sauce. It is a comfort food that is perfect for cold winter nights or any time you crave a warm and hearty meal.

During my vacation in London, my daughter and I decided to have lunch at a Lebanese restaurant. As we went over the menu, I came across a dish called shish barak. Intrigued by the name and the description, I decided to order it.

A middle-aged waiter brought the dish to our table after a little while. As we enjoyed our meal, a piece of kitchen equipment broke down, causing a bit of stress and commotion in the restaurant. However, the staff handled the situation professionally, and the commotion settled after a while.

After finishing our meal, I requested the recipe for shish barak from the restaurant chef. To my surprise, he agreed to give it to me. Here are the ingredients that the recipe contained:

Dough: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, vegetable oil, and water
Filling: Ground beef (or lamb), toasted pine nuts, onion, parsley, garlic, smoked paprika, 7-spice, salt, and pepper
Yogurt Sauce: Plain yogurt, salt, cornstarch, and water
Garnish: Crushed garlic and dried mint

Pairing with Other Dishes

As someone who has enjoyed Lebanese cuisine for years, I have found that shish barak pairs exceptionally well with a variety of dishes. Here are some of my go-to pairings:

Rice: Enjoy a bowl of plain white rice as a great partner to this Lebanese shish barak. Its mild taste balances the dumplings’ strong flavors.
Flatbread: Soft, warm flatbread is ideal for sopping up the tasty broth and scooping the dumplings.
Salad: Fresh cucumber and tomato salad with lemon juice and olive oil bring crunch and brightness.
Roasted Vegetables: Boost your meal’s nutrition with roasted carrots, bell peppers, or eggplant on the side.

Ingredients:

Dough

3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon of milk powder (optional)
1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of water

Filling

1/2 lb of ground beef or ground lamb or a mixture of both
3 tablespoons of pine nuts (toast them in olive oil)
Handful of parsley
1 small onion
3 garlic cloves
1/2 tablespoon of smoked paprika
1 tablespoon of allspice or seven-spice
Salt and pepper to taste

Yogurt Sauce

32 oz of plain yogurt (don’t use Greek yogurt)
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
2 cups of water (you may need more)

Garnish

1 crushed garlic head
3 tablespoons of crushed dried mint

How to make Lebanese Shish Barak?

Begin by making the dough. Mix all the ingredients using a KitchenAid with the paddle attachment or by hand. Add the water gradually, covering the dough, and let it rest for 30 minutes while you make the filling.
To make the filling, blend onion, parsley, garlic, and beef in a food processor. Cook the beef with spices until it browns. Mix in toasted pine nuts and set the filling aside.
Now, divide the dough ball in two and roll each piece thinly, about 1 inch thick. Use a cookie cutter or small cup to cut small circles in the dough. Place a teaspoon of beef filling on one side of each circle. Fold the dough like an empanada, sealing the edges. Pinch the ends together or overlap them like tortellini. Keep repeating this until all the dough is used.
Put the dumplings on an olive oil-sprayed nonstick pan and bake them at 400°F for roughly 10 minutes until they turn lightly brown. You can also broil them for a minute for extra color if you like.
Now, you have the option to put the dumplings in a ziplock bag and freeze them for another meal later on.
For the yogurt sauce, put yogurt, salt, cornstarch, and water in a blender and mix it up.
Put this mix in a pot on medium heat. Stir it until it starts to thicken, roughly 10-15 minutes until it boils. If you want it thicker, put some of the sauce in a bowl, add more cornstarch, mix, then put it back in the pot to thicken. I prefer my yogurt sauce to be thick enough to stick to a spoon.
When the sauce is the way you like it, put the dumplings in and cook them together for 10 minutes. They should rise to the surface.
In a pan, fry garlic in olive oil until crispy, then mix it into the yogurt sauce. Sprinkle some dried mint on top and savor it while it’s warm!

Nutritional Information

As a health-conscious person, I always like to know what I’m putting into my body. Here is some nutritional information about Lebanese shish barak:

A typical serving size of shish barak is about 10 pieces, which contains approximately 300-400 calories.
The dish is a good source of protein, with about 20 grams per serving.
However, it is also high in fat, with about 20 grams per serving, so it should be consumed in moderation.
Shish barak is also a good source of calcium, with about 20% of the recommended daily value per serving, thanks to the yogurt sauce.

Regional Variations

Lebanese Style

As the name suggests, Lebanese shish barak is a Lebanese dish. However, there are many variations of this dish depending on the region in Lebanon. For example, in the north, the dumplings are usually made with a mixture of ground meat and bulgur wheat, while in the south, they are made with a mixture of ground meat and rice.

Additionally, the sauce can also vary depending on the region. In some areas, the sauce is made with a tomato-based sauce, while in others, it is made with a garlic and lemon sauce. Some variations also include the addition of chickpeas or other vegetables to the dish.

Variations in Neighboring Countries

While Lebanese shish barak is a popular dish in Lebanon, it is also enjoyed in other neighboring countries such as Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. However, the dish can have slight variations in these countries.

For example, in Syria, the dumplings are typically larger and flatter than those in Lebanon, and they are often served in a tomato-based sauce with chickpeas. In Jordan, the dish is often made with a yogurt-based sauce similar to the Lebanese version, but it is also sometimes served with a tomato-based sauce.

Storage and Reheating Tips

When storing Lebanese shish barak, it is important to keep them in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. This will help to prevent any moisture from getting in and causing them to spoil. It is recommended to consume them within 2-3 days of making them for optimal freshness.

If you have leftovers, reheating them is simple and easy. You can either reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop. To warm them up in the microwave, put them in a dish safe for the microwave and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat them in the microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they are heated through.

To reheat them on the stovetop, place them in a pot and add a small amount of water or broth. Cover the pot and heat them on medium heat until they are heated through. Be sure to stir them occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

It is important to note that they should not be reheated more than once, as this can cause them to become tough and dry. Also, be sure to check the temperature of the shish barak before consuming them to ensure that they are heated through to a safe temperature.

Conclusion

I must say, after trying Lebanese shish barak, I am thoroughly impressed. The combination of the doughy dumplings with the tangy yogurt sauce and flavorful meat filling creates a truly unique and satisfying dish.

One thing I appreciate about this dish is the attention to detail in the preparation. Every component is crafted with care and precision from the hand-rolled dough to the perfectly seasoned meat filling.

I also appreciate the versatility of shish barak. It can be served as a main course or as an appetizer, making it a great addition to any meal.

Overall, I highly recommend trying Lebanese shish barak if you have the opportunity. It’s a delicious and authentic dish that is sure to impress.

As mentioned above, flatbreads pair perfectly with shish barak.
Click on the image below to get a great recipe for a flatbread with cheese and zaatar.