For the stuffing: Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and cook the pine nuts, stirring all the time, for about 3 minutes or until golden in colour. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a plate.

Sauté the onions in the same frying pan for a few minutes until translucent. Add the meat and the spices and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes or until the meat is done, stirring constantly. Crush the marjoram between the palms of your hands over the meat and mix in the pomegranate syrup. Adjust taste if required and fold in the pine nuts. Set aside for later use.

For the kibbeh: Soak the bulgur in cold water for 10 minutes. In the meantime cut meat into small cubes (2 cm). Purée the meat in a food processor and transfer it to a large bowl. Next purée the onions to a paste and add to the meat in the bowl. Set aside. Drain the water from the bulgur, transfer to the food processor and process for 2 minutes. Add to the meat and sprinkle with the salt, cinnamon, black pepper, allspice dried marjoram and mint . Mix well with your hands, adding 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water or as needed until it blends well to a smooth kibbeh.

Grease a large baking pan (32-cm) with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Divide kibbeh mixture into 2 halves. Evenly spread one half in the greased pan by flattening small portions of the mixture with your oiled hands, to make a layer of about ½ cm thickness.

Evenly spread the reserved stuffing over the first layer, pressing it slightly with your hand. Cover with the remaining kibbeh, by taking small portions at a time and flattening them with your slightly oiled hands. Press and smooth the surface with your hand. You might need to moist your hand with some cold water as well.

With a thin-pointed knife cut the second layer in quarters or in 8 portions. Make a criss-cross pattern on the surface of each portion. Pierce the pattern with the tip of a sharp knife to allow oil to seep down. Pinch a hole with your index finger in the middle and pour in the olive oil.

Preheat oven (200°C, 400°F). Bake on second lower rack for about 1 hour or until nicely brown. Arrange pieces of kibbeh on a platter and serve hot with saltet laban wa khyar and a mixed salad of your choice.