Discover how to make Sambos, flavorful spiced pastries filled with savory meat or vegetables. Perfectly crispy and satisfying, this recipe brings the essence of traditional pastries to your kitchen. Ideal for appetizers, snacks, or party treats!

Ingredients:

- 1 cup all-purpose flour

- 1/4 cup vegetable oil

- 1/4 cup warm water

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1/2 tsp ground cumin

- 1/2 tsp ground coriander

- 1/2 tsp paprika

- 1/4 tsp turmeric

- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions

- 1 cup minced meat (beef, lamb, or chicken) or mixed vegetables

- 1 clove garlic, minced

- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

- 1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)

- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

- Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

Prepare the Dough:

  - In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric.

  - Add vegetable oil and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

  - Gradually add warm water, kneading until a smooth dough forms.

  - Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Prepare the Filling:

  - Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until translucent.

  - Add garlic and cook for another minute.

  - Add minced meat or vegetables, and cook until browned and cooked through.

  - Season with black pepper, chili powder (if using), and cilantro or parsley.

  - Remove from heat and let it cool.

Assemble the Sambos:

  - Divide the dough into small balls and roll out each into a thin circle.

  - Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle.

  - Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges to seal, crimping with a fork if desired.

Cook the Sambos:

  - Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium heat.

  - Fry the sambos in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.

  - Drain on paper towels.

Serve:

  - Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or chutney. Enjoy!

Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste or try different fillings for variety!

Nutritional Values

All-Purpose Flour

 - Calories: 455

 - Carbohydrates: 95g

 - Protein: 13g

 - Fat: 1g

 - Fiber: 3g

Benefits:

 - Provides energy through carbohydrates.

 - Contains small amounts of protein and fiber.

Vegetable Oil

 - Calories: 120

 - Carbohydrates: 0g

 - Protein: 0g

 - Fat: 14g (including 1g of saturated fat)

Benefits:

 - Provides essential fatty acids.

 - Can be a source of vitamin E, depending on the type of oil.

Ground Spices (Cumin, Coriander, Paprika, Turmeric)

Cumin:

  - Calories: 8

  - Carbohydrates: 0.9g

  - Protein: 0.4g

  - Fat: 0.4g

  - Fiber: 0.5g

Coriander:

  - Calories: 5

  - Carbohydrates: 1g

  - Protein: 0.2g

  - Fat: 0.2g

  - Fiber: 0.6g

Paprika:

  - Calories: 6

  - Carbohydrates: 1.1g

  - Protein: 0.3g

  - Fat: 0.3g

  - Fiber: 0.6g

Turmeric:

  - Calories: 8

  - Carbohydrates: 1.4g

  - Protein: 0.2g

  - Fat: 0.2g

  - Fiber: 0.3g

Benefits:

 - Cumin: Good for digestion and has antioxidant properties.

 - Coriander: May aid in digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.

 - Paprika: Rich in vitamins A and E, and has antioxidant benefits.

 - Turmeric: Contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Onions

 - Calories: 64

 - Carbohydrates: 15g

 - Protein: 1g

 - Fat: 0g

 - Fiber: 3g

Benefits:

 - Rich in antioxidants and vitamins.

 - May help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.

Minced Meat (Beef, Lamb, Chicken)

Beef:

  - Calories: 213

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: 22g

  - Fat: 14g (including 6g of saturated fat)

Lamb:

  - Calories: 294

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: 25g

  - Fat: 21g (including 9g of saturated fat)

Chicken:

  - Calories: 165

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: 31g

  - Fat: 3.6g (including 1g of saturated fat)

Benefits:

 - Excellent source of high-quality protein.

 - Rich in essential nutrients like iron and zinc (especially in red meats).

Garlic

 - Calories: 4

 - Carbohydrates: 1g

 - Protein: 0.2g

 - Fat: 0g

 - Fiber: 0.1g

Benefits:

 - Known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

 - May support heart health and boost the immune system.

Black Pepper

 - Calories: 6

 - Carbohydrates: 1.6g

 - Protein: 0.2g

 - Fat: 0.1g

 - Fiber: 0.6g

Benefits:

 - Contains piperine, which may improve digestion and nutrient absorption.

 - Has antioxidant properties.

Chili Powder (Optional)

 - Calories: 6

 - Carbohydrates: 1.1g

 - Protein: 0.3g

 - Fat: 0.3g

 - Fiber: 0.6g

Benefits:

 - Contains capsaicin, which may boost metabolism and reduce inflammation.

Fresh Cilantro or Parsley

Cilantro:

  - Calories: 1

  - Carbohydrates: 0.2g

  - Protein: 0.1g

  - Fat: 0g

  - Fiber: 0.1g

Parsley:

  - Calories: 5

  - Carbohydrates: 1g

  - Protein: 0.5g

  - Fat: 0g

  - Fiber: 0.6g

Benefits:

 - Rich in vitamins A, C, and K.

 - Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Vegetable Oil for Frying

 - Calories: 120 per tablespoon

 - Carbohydrates: 0g

 - Protein: 0g

 - Fat: 14g (including 1g of saturated fat)

Benefits:

 - Provides a source of energy and essential fatty acids.

These values can vary depending on the specific brands and types of ingredients used.