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Maman Joon's Shami (شامی مامان جون)

A cherished family recipe for Persian Shami — tender fried meat patties served with a sweet and sour onion sauce.
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:
  • 500 g ground meat
  • 1/2 cup chickpea flour
  • 1 carrot finely grated
  • 2 onions finely grated
  • 3 garlic cloves grated
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda or baking powder
  • Oil for frying
Sauce Ingredients:
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 tbsp white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 cup water

Method
 

Instructions:
  1. In a little oil, lightly sauté the grated onion and garlic until softened. Set aside to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
  3. Cover and let the mixture rest for 1 hour.
  4. Knead the mixture again, take portions, roll into balls, and gently press the center of each one with your finger.
  5. Fry the Shamis in oil until golden brown on both sides. Set aside, keeping the oil in the pan.
  6. In the same oil, fry the chopped onion until golden. Remove and set aside.
  7. In the same oil, add sugar, vinegar, and water. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  8. Add the Shamis and fried onions back into the sauce and simmer for a few minutes.
  9. Arrange on a plate, spoon sauce over top, and garnish with fried onions.

Notes

Notes:
The original recipe was passed down without exact measurements — adjust to your taste. Fruit salt (نمک میوه) is preferred over baking soda if available. Sautéing the onion and garlic before mixing is the secret to light and fluffy Shamis!