Ingredients

  • 1 12 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 14 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 14 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 12 cup golden raisin, chopped
  • 34 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 12 lb lean ground lamb
  • 1 large egg white
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds or 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (or a combination)
  • 14 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, defatted
  • 14 teaspoon salt
  • 8 sheets phyllo dough ("14 x 18 inches")

Method

  • To make lamb filling--- In a small bowl, cover raisins with boiling water and let steep for 5 minutes; drain and set aside.
  • Set a large nonstick skillet over low heat and add the pine nuts; cook, stirring, until well toasted, 3 to 4 minutes - turn out onto a plate to cool.
  • Chop pine nuts and reserve.
  • Add oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat, then add onions and garlic; saute until softened and beginning to color, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Add lamb, cumin, cinnamon and allspice; cook, stirring, until the lamb is no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Transfer to a colander and drain off fat; return the lamb mixture to the skillet and add chicken stock, reserved raisins and pine nuts, parsley and lemon juice; cook until liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute.
  • Season with salt and pepper; let cool (The lamb filling can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.)
  • To form phyllo triangles--- Place an oven rack on the upper level; preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).
  • Lightly coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together egg white, oil and salt.
  • Lay a sheet of phyllo on the work surface with a short side toward you; cut lengthwise into thirds.
  • Brush the lengthwise half of each strip lightly with the egg-white mixture and fold in half; brush the top of each strip lightly with the egg-white mixture.
  • Place a tablespoon of filling at the bottom of the strip and fold one corner of the strip over the filling diagonally across to the opposite edge to form a triangle; continue to fold the triangle onto itself, as you would fold a flag.
  • Place on the prepared baking sheet - repeat with the remaining phyllo, egg-white mixture and filling.
  • Brush the triangles lightly with the egg-white mixture and sprinkle with seeds, if desired.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until dark golden.
  • Let cool for 5 minutes before serving hot.
  • (The triangles may be baked up to 2 days in advance, then reheated in a 350 F (175 C) oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until heated through.)