Kibbe Nayye

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Kibbe Nayye (also kibbee, Kubbeh) is a common appetizer meal in Lebanon, Syria and Palestine normally served with arak. It consists of minced raw lamb meat mixed with bulgur and spices. Bulgur (or in the local Lebanese accent "burghol"), is prepared from wheat. The wheat is boiled then dried again, and this is ground into smaller grains. There can be 2 sizes, the fine (smaller) size is used with Kebbeh Nayyeh. Kebbeh Nayyeh is often served with mint leaves and olive oil, onions, and green onions. Lebanese bread is used to eat it. Sometimes a sauce of garlic, olive oil and lemon juice is served. The dish has a unique versatility in that any leftovers are cooked, creating a different dish. This dish is renowned to be a dish for Christians of the Levant because both arak and the blood of an animal is forbidden in Islam. Muslims are wary of any uncooked meats lest they be contaminated with blood.