For the outer shell

• 250 g fine bulgur wheat (1 1/2 cups)
• 500 ml hot water (2 cups)
• 500 g ground beef (about 2 1/4 cups)
• 100 g white onion, grated (1 medium onion)
• 15 g fresh mint, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
• 5 g salt (1 teaspoon)
• 2 g ground black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• 2 g ground cumin (1 teaspoon)

For the filling

• 400 g ground beef (about 1 3/4 cups)
• 150 g white onion, finely chopped (1 1/2 medium onions)
• 15 ml vegetable oil (1 tablespoon)
• 10 g garlic, minced (2 cloves)
• 15 g fresh mint, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
• 3 g salt (1/2 teaspoon)
• 1 g ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon)
• 2 g ground cumin (1 teaspoon)
• 30 g pine nuts or chopped almonds (1/4 cup), optional

For frying

• 1.5 l vegetable oil (6 cups)