Preparation

Preheat oven to 190°C. To make beef filling, heat oil in a frying pan over high heat. Cook onion for 3 minutes or until light golden. Add beef and cook, breaking up any lumps, for 8 minutes or until browned. Season with salt and pepper, and allow to cool.
Combine burghul, beef and onion in a bowl. Mix well with your hands until mixture is well combined. Season, then press half of the mixture into the base of a greased 35 cm x 21 cm x 5 cm baking dish. Spoon over the cooked beef filling evenly, then press the remaining burghul mixture over the top. Press down firmly. Using a small knife, score the top into 30 diamonds, then scatter with pine nuts, pressing them into the top beef layer.
Bake kobeba for 30 minutes or until cooked through and the top is browned. Cut into diamonds using the score marks as a guide and serve scattered with parsley, if desired.

Ingredients

  • 240 g (1½ cups) burghul (cracked wheat), soaked for 20 minutes, drained
  • 500 g minced beef
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • pine nuts and shredded flat-leaf parsley (optional), to serve
  • Beef filling
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 500 g minced beef