Low Carb Sfiha (Middle Eastern Meat Pies)

Indulge in the savory flavors of the Middle East with this Low Carb Sfiha recipe, a creative twist on traditional meat pies that swaps out the carb-heavy dough for a nutrient-packed cauliflower crust. Perfectly seasoned ground beef or lamb is infused with warm spices like cumin, allspice, and paprika, then paired with fresh parsley and juicy tomatoes for an irresistible filling. The cauliflower crust, enhanced with almond flour and mozzarella, is golden and sturdy enough to hold all the flavorful toppings while remaining gluten-free and keto-friendly. Ready in just over an hour, these low-carb Middle Eastern meat pies are a delicious, healthy alternative for dinner, appetizers, or meal prep.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 large head cauliflower florets
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup almond flour
• 1 pound ground beef or lamb
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

To make the low-carb crust, break the cauliflower into florets and pulse in a food processor until it resembles rice.

Step 3

Steam the cauliflower rice for about 5 minutes and then transfer it to a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much moisture as possible.

Step 4

In a bowl, combine the drained cauliflower rice, eggs, mozzarella cheese, and almond flour until it forms a dough-like consistency.

Step 5

Roll the cauliflower mixture into balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and flatten them into rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet, about 1/4 inch thick.

Step 6

Bake the cauliflower rounds in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and set aside.

Step 7

While the crust bakes, prepare the filling: heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Step 8

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion becomes translucent.

Step 9

Introduce the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula.

Step 10

Stir in the diced tomato, ground cumin, allspice, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes or until the mixture is well combined and fragrant.

Step 11

Remove the meat mixture from heat and stir in the fresh parsley.

Step 12

Spoon a generous amount of the meat mixture onto each cauliflower crust round.

Step 13

Return the topped pies to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 14

Let cool slightly before serving warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1602.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2395.6

Total Fat 178.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 59.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 822.9mg	0%
Sodium 3749.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 67.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.8g	0%
Total Sugars 23.8g
Protein 139.3g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 1280.2mg	0%
Iron 22.5mg	0%
Potassium 3913.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.0%

Protein: 22.9%

Carbs: 11.0%