Spiced Lamb Triangles

Mille®'s Note:

This is another recipe that I unashamedly stole from another website that has stolen dozens of my recipes and hundreds of Recipezaar's recipes (probably including a few of yours, too!)

• Total Time: 57 mins
• Prep Time: 12 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8-12

Yield: 24.0 triangles

• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup golden raisin, chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 lb lean ground lamb
• 1 large egg white
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds or 1 teaspoon sesame seed (or a combination)
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, defatted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 sheets phyllo dough ("14 x 18 inches")

Directions:

1. To make lamb filling--- In a small bowl, cover raisins with boiling water and let steep for 5 minutes; drain and set aside.
2. Set a large nonstick skillet over low heat and add the pine nuts; cook, stirring, until well toasted, 3 to 4 minutes - turn out onto a plate to cool.
3. Chop pine nuts and reserve.
4. Add oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat, then add onions and garlic; sauté until softened and beginning to color, 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Add lamb, cumin, cinnamon and allspice; cook, stirring, until the lamb is no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Transfer to a colander and drain off fat; return the lamb mixture to the skillet and add chicken stock, reserved raisins and pine nuts, parsley and lemon juice; cook until liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute.
7. Season with salt and pepper; let cool (The lamb filling can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.)
8. To form phyllo triangles--- Place an oven rack on the upper level; preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).
9. Lightly coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together egg white, oil and salt.
11. Lay a sheet of phyllo on the work surface with a short side toward you; cut lengthwise into thirds.
12. Brush the lengthwise half of each strip lightly with the egg-white mixture and fold in half; brush the top of each strip lightly with the egg-white mixture.
13. Place a tablespoon of filling at the bottom of the strip and fold one corner of the strip over the filling diagonally across to the opposite edge to form a triangle; continue to fold the triangle onto itself, as you would fold a flag.
14. Place on the prepared baking sheet - repeat with the remaining phyllo, egg-white mixture and filling.
15. Brush the triangles lightly with the egg-white mixture and sprinkle with seeds, if desired.
16. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until dark golden.
17. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving hot. (The triangles may be baked up to 2 days in advance, then reheated in a 350° F (175° C) oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until heated through.)

Reviews

[JennyMidget]

Making this reminded me of why I love it when other people make Filo pastries for me :)
I struggled with folding the triangles - maybe my pastry was to dry. But shape notwithstanding, the flavour of the filling on these babies when baked was delicious, and they worked well for both parents and toddler. Well worth a try!