Iraqi Chickpea Sambusak 

(Baked Filled Pastries)

This was from a recipe on the Allrecipes website. I usually like to make Hamantashen (triangular filled cookie/pastries) at this time of year for the Purim holiday, but this year decided to try something different. This savory recipe is a traditional Iraqi Purim goodie. It's meant to be deep-fried, but here, I've baked it. I made a dozen of these a few days ago, and put them in the freezer. Perhaps I'll try pan-frying some of the others. 

The filling is easy to make, and can be made separately, the day before, and left in the fridge. The dough is also easy, and needs only 10 minutes to rest. The trick when filling the Sambusak is, don't over-fill. You need some plain dough for the edges where the top and bottom of the dough meet, so they'll stick together and stay closed. If there's a bit of filling on that part of the dough, it won't seal well. I liked this simple recipe.

Allrecipes Website, recipe by Nurit Cusack, Sambusaks (Samboosaks) with Chickpeas