Anything Claudia Roden makes is fabulous. This recipe was adapted from the original by Rosa’s Yummy Yums blog, and I followed her lead.
Not only did it taste good, but it made a very enticing presentation. This Middle-Eastern meatloaf is a winner.
Kibbeh Saniyeh (modified slightly by me)
Ingredients For The “Baked Kibbeh” Base:
2/3 cup fine-ground bulgur
1 medium white onion, cut into quarters
1 pound ground turkey
1 teaspoon sea salt
Ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (to grease the pan and the top of the kibbeh)
Ingredients For The “Onion & Pine Nut Topping”:
1 pound white onions, sliced (half-moon)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
Sea salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 teaspoon ground allspice
3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
Method for the “Baked Kibbeh” base:
1. Cover the bulgur with water and let rest 10 minutes. Drain well.
2. In a food processor, purée the onion, then add the meat, salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Blend to a fine paste.
3. Add the drained bulgur and blend again in order to get a smooth, homogenous and soft paste.
4. Preheat the oven to 190° C (375° F). Oil a 26cm (10inch) diameter tart pan/dish and then press the paste into the bottom of the pan/dish with your hands.
5. Flatten and smooth the top. Rub with 1 tablespoons oil.
6. With a pointed knife, cut the kibbeh into 6 wedges through the center, and run the knife around the edges of the dish to release them.
7. Bake the kibbeh in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, until browned.
Method for the “Topping”:
8. Meanwhile, fry the onions in the olive oil until they are golden brown, stirring often.
9. Add the pine nuts. Stir-fry until lightly golden.
10. Salt and pepper to taste, then add the cinnamon, allspice and the pomegranate molasses.
11. Continue cooking and stirring for about 1 minute.
12. Spread the onion mixture over the top of the kibbeh and serve.
Makes 4 – 6 servings.
Awarded to me by 
I definitely love anything Claudia Rosen puts her fingers into and this kibbeh sounds delicious. I’ve never seen it prepared this way!
Meatloaf is not one of our family’s favorites but your Kibbeh does make meatloaf look like a really special dish. Have never seen it prepared this way and will definitely consider trying this recipe. Thank you for sharing!