Happysalt

Occasionally, for my clients, I enjoy making these little lamb pies called Sifha.

I learned about them when I was working as a chef in Beirut. As far as I know, they are only made in the Baka Valley near the Syrian border in a town called Baalbek. First, you visit the butcher in the market and ask for the lamb to be prepped. The lamb is hanging by a hook in the middle of the shop, they just slice a nice chunk off, grind it, then season it with all spice, cinnamon and other spices… hand chop it more then hand you the ready to go meat.

Next, you take it to a bakery in the same market and they hand make these beautiful little pies baked in a wood oven. They give you thick labneh (yogurt) on the side to dip them. Pull up a couple of milk crates and dig in right there while they are fresh. Heaven!

I brought a few friends here and they were just blown away. Wild part of the world 100%. My time in Lebanon was one of the best times in my life. ❤️🙏🏼🇱🇧