Baked Kibbe

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            FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to Farida Kamar in Australia for this true food funny:

I slept in one morning, and when I woke up the rest of the family was
already out and about. I saw my 7-year-old son Denzel wandering
around the house looking very distraught and traumatized. I asked him
what was wrong, and he said, "Daddy made me a jam sandwich, but
there's something in it that makes me want to vomit." I checked the
jam. The 'jam' was Peach and Lemon Chutney.

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            TODAY'S RECIPE
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This week's menu is based around hearty, healthy whole grains, and I
have tried to include as many different grains as possible in the hope
that some of my readers might try something new. Here is the lineup:

Monday's Starter
Baked Kibbe

Tuesday's Soup or Salad
Three Grain Salad

Wednesday's Side Dish
Barley and Mushroom "Risotto"

Thursday's Entree
Cornish Game Hens with Quinoa Stuffing

Friday's Dessert
Apple Oat Crisp

Kibbe (also spelled kibbeh) is a Middle Eastern staple with as many
variations as cooks. This version make a tasty and nutritious
appetizer for cocktail parties or family gatherings.

Baked Kibbe

1 cup (250 ml) fine-grind (#1) or medium-grind (#2)
bulgur (cracked wheat)
2 cups (500 ml) boiling water
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 lb (450 g) lean ground lamb
1 Tbs (15 ml) ground cumin
1/4 tsp (1 ml) ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp (1 ml) ground allspice
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Pine nuts (pignoli) for garnish

Soak the bulgur in the water for 20 minutes. Drain if all the water
is not absorbed. Combine with the remaining ingredients except the
pine nuts and mix thoroughly. Spread into an 8-inch (20 cm) square
baking pan and score the top in a diamond pattern with the tip of a
knife. Place a pine nut in each section and bake in a preheated 375F
(190C) oven until cooked and brown around the edges, about 20 minutes.
Let cool for 5 minutes before cutting along the score marks and serve
warm or at room temperature. Serves 8 to 12 as an hors d'oeuvre, 6 to
8 as a first course.
Received on Mon Feb 9 10:09:31 2004