Samosa za Nyama (Kenyan Beef Samosas)
In short: Crisp triangular pastries filled with spiced minced beef, onion, garlic and coriander, folded from thin dough and deep-fried, a Kenyan street favorite. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Calories
- 590 kcal
Samosas are one of Kenya's favorite snacks, sold hot from roadside stalls, bakeries and tea shops. The Kenyan version is usually filled with spiced minced beef, onion, garlic and plenty of fresh coriander, wrapped in thin sheets of dough and fried until blistered and crisp. They go well with tea, appear on party platters and are a familiar sight at iftar tables during Ramadan. Serve them hot with a squeeze of lime or a fresh chili sauce.
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl, rub in the 3 tbsp oil, then add the warm water a little at a time. Knead for 8 minutes into a smooth, firm dough. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Heat the 2 tbsp oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute. Add the beef and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up lumps, until no pink remains (71°C / 160°F) and the liquid has evaporated.
- Stir in the cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, pepper, chili and salt and cook for 2 minutes. Spread the filling on a tray and cool it completely, then mix in the spring onions, fresh coriander and lime juice.
- Divide the dough into 10 balls. Roll each into a very thin circle about 20 cm (8 in) wide, dusting with flour only if it sticks.
- Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each circle for about 10 seconds per side, just until it sets and shows a few pale spots. Do not let it brown. Stack the circles under a towel, then cut each in half.
- Hold a half-circle with its straight edge toward you. Fold the left corner over to the middle of the straight edge, brush the exposed part with the flour paste, then fold the right corner over it to make a cone and press the seam closed.
- Fill the cone with about 1 1/2 tbsp of the filling. Brush the open curved rim with paste and press it shut to form a triangle. Repeat with the remaining half-circles.
- Heat the frying oil in a deep pot to 175°C (350°F). Fry 4 or 5 samosas at a time for 3 to 4 minutes, turning, until deep golden and crisp. Drain on a rack or paper towels.
- Serve hot with lime wedges or a fresh chili sauce.
Tips
- Cool the filling completely before shaping. Warm filling steams the pastry from the inside and makes it tear.
- Seal every edge firmly with the flour paste and fry at a steady 175°C (350°F). Cooler oil makes greasy samosas, and hotter oil browns the outside before the pastry cooks through.
Questions and answers
Can I bake Kenyan samosas instead of frying them?
Yes. Brush them with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until golden. They are less blistered than fried samosas but still crisp.
Can I freeze samosas?
Yes. Freeze the shaped, unfried samosas in a single layer, then bag them for up to 2 months. Fry straight from frozen at 170°C (340°F) for 5 to 6 minutes, until golden and hot in the center.
Can I use store-bought wrappers?
Yes. Samosa or spring roll wrappers cut into strips about 8 cm (3 in) wide work well. Fold each strip into triangles around the filling and seal the end with the flour paste.
How long does it take to make Samosa za Nyama (Kenyan Beef Samosas)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 1 h of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Samosa za Nyama (Kenyan Beef Samosas)?
About 590 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 41 g of carbohydrates and 37 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 590 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 41 g |
| Fat | 37 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
