Sambusa: Tips to master this crispy snack
What's the story
Known for its crispy exterior and flavorful filling, popular African snack, sambusa is simply delightful. Not only can you make this tasty dish at home with a few simple ingredients and techniques, but learning the same will also enhance your culinary skills while introducing you to the rich flavors of African cuisine. With some practice, you can master this dish and enjoy it as a tasty appetizer/snack.
Dish 1
Ingredients needed for sambusa
To make sambusa, you'll need basic ingredients like flour, water, oil, salt, and spices including cumin and coriander. For the stuffing, get vegetables like potatoes or lentils and onions and garlic for flavoring. Most of these ingredients can be found in your local grocery stores and are inexpensive. Having fresh produce will make your sambusas tastier.
Dish 2
Preparing the dough
Start by mixing flour with water and a pinch of salt. Mix to form a smooth dough. Knead it well until it's elastic in texture. Let it rest for about 30 minutes, covered with a damp cloth to avoid drying out. This resting period helps in developing gluten properly, resulting in a better texture when fried.
Dish 3
Making the filling
For the filling, saute onions and garlic till golden brown, then add your choice of vegetables such as potatoes or lentils with spices such as cumin and coriander powder. Cook till everything is well-combined and fragrant. Allow this mixture to cool before using it as stuffing for your sambusas.
Dish 4
Assembling and frying sambusas
Roll out small portions of dough into thin circles or squares (whatever you prefer), then place some filling in each piece before folding them into triangular shapes. Seal edges tightly, using water if necessary, so they don't open while frying. Later, heat oil over medium flame. Fry these filled pastries until golden brown. Drain excess oil by placing them onto paper towels. Serve hot and enjoy!