Cinnamon Spiced Lamb Filo Lachmajou

Feeling inspired, I created these little middle eastern spiced filo lamb and cinnamon nibbles to emulate my experience of a light evening meze at Caravaniserai Leeds, where traditional North African street food is served in the restaurants tiny upstairs dining room. One long wooden tressel table, shared by all its diners, sits on the old terracotta tiled floor. The walls are dressed with rich tapestries and artefacts, colourful woven cushions are scattered around, absorbing sounds. Subdued lighting creates a calm relaxed ambience, while the aroma of sweet mint tea served in little ornate cups, bowls of hummus and freshly made flat breads fill the air.

Enjoy my little Filo Lachmajou’s warm on their own as nibbles, served with tatziki as a part of a meze or as first course appetiser.

Makes around 36
Prep 30 mins
Bake 10 mins
Mark 7, 220 *C, 425*F
Baking tray
Grease proof paper or oiled foil
Pastry brush

Ingredients

6 Sheets Filo Pastry
Oil for brushing
1lb Mince Lamb
2 Cloves Garlic, crushed
I Medium Red Onion, chopped
400g Tin Plum Tomatoes
1tsp Ground Cinnamon
Pinch of salt & pepper, according to required taste

Method

Lightly fry onions till transparent, set to one side
Fry mince till brown, drain of excess fat
Add garlic, brown off
Add tinned tomatoes, cinnamon and cooked onions
Cook on low heat till the mixture becomes dry to intensify, stir occasionally, do not let it burn
Add salt & pepper seasoning to taste.

Lay out one filo sheet – cover remainder with damp cloth to prevent them drying out
Brush filo with a little oil
Cut with a sharp knife into 6 equal rectangles
With the rectangle portrait to you, leave 1cm each side of its length free, lay a heaped tsp of mixture evenly spread from left to right in a strip.
Fold the 1cm from the sides, in over the mixture & down the length of filo
Carefully lift the front edge of filo over the mixture & roll forward to the end creating a small cylindrical shape.
Sit it on its seam on a greased baking sheet.
Brush tops with a little oil
Bake in the top of the oven till golden

Notes

*you may have some mixture left over
Lachmajou filling, recipe adapted from Tessa Kirros, Falling Cloud Berries.

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Hepworth’s Deli – Leeds

If you find yourself in Leeds City Centre feeling very hungry with a passion to eat good quality produce, go to Hepworth’s, a small deli in the equally small & quirky Thornton’s Arcade off Briggate. The arcade, with its glass roof and a clock, struck on the hour by life sized figures of Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, Richard Coeur de Lion and Friar Tuck whilst Robin Hood and Gurth the Swineherd strike the quarters. …. back to the food! Hepworth’s, owned & run by local lad Joe Hepworth, has worked in many of the cities top restaurants as well as Michelin starred restaurants around the country. He works, wherever possible, with local suppliers including Leeds own Kirkgate Market to provide quality produce, artisan breads, cheeses, hams & pastries. His staff are welcoming, friendly & are as relaxed as the ambience its self. Menus include brunch, sandwiches, salads, deli platters, soup of the day & hot specials. To follow there’s a colourful display of cakes & desserts. Ignoring a desire to order the very tempting open fish finger sandwich that the waitress was serving, my daughter & I ordered healthier options:

Super Food Salad: dressed leaves, cherry tomatoes, peas, beans, broccoli, roasted sweet potato, beetroot, goats cheese, pumpkin seeds, roasted red pepper, sun blushed tomatoes, quinoa £5.55

Mezze Platter: feta, olives, artichoke, cherry tomatoes, peas, tzatziki, hummus, couscous, chutney, spring onion, cucumber, falafel, pitta bread, crisp bread £7.50

Our theory was to go on the lighter side so that we could  try some of the delightful looking blueberry & pistachio tart or chocolate eclairs oozing with fresh cream or maybe the mini macaroons sitting neatly on the cabinet with their intense bright colours & flavours. It wasn’t to be, we were too full, beaten with the deliciousness of our healthiness.

When in Leeds, this deli is a must http://hepworthsdeli.co.uk/index.html

image: iphone