Cheesy Murtabak with Chilli Mayo dip

Day 7 of Ramadan already? Where did the first 6 go? Jokes apart, time is ticking away and we need to utilize our valuable time to the maximum for Ibadah etc. Keep your tongue moist with zikr and adhkars. Also doing your chores, cooking food and being of some help to the family are also considered Ibadah and rewarded in the holy month. Just don't be extreme. Moderation is the key.

I have been asked to share oil free iftar dishes and I have come up with Cheesy Murtabak in my style. It is also called Muthabaq. Oh boy is it yummm?! 

Murtabak or mutabbaq is a stuffed Paratha with your favorite fillings like spicy minced meat and for that extra cheesiness I have added a ton load of cheese 🤪 (you know you can never go wrong with cheese). The classic, Saudi style matabak consists of green onions and leeks. But I kept it very simple. Just eggs and cheese with the spicy minced meat. And instead of adding in chopped onion, I have simply substituted by adding in some onion powder. 

It is a street food specialty especially seen in Saudi, Kuwait, Malaysia etc. Mini pockets  of these non fried Paratha are the best snack for iftar, coz these use little to no oil.

Now I won't call it healthy but definitely a step towards healthy eating for iftar. These little pockets are so delicious and filling. The chilli Mayo dip adds on to its yumminess, and a karak chai! Aaaaah, definition of bliss... Sooo soooo good. I cannot stress enough!

Here I have used meat mince, you may use chicken Mince also if you like, but traditionally mince meat is used for Murtabak. 

Let's get on to the ingredients to prepare this easy and delicious iftar dish. 

Ingredients :

Dough:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp oil
• 1/2 cup water 
• Salt, as required 

Filling :

• 300 grams minced meat
• 3 small green chillies, chopped
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tsp Garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp red Chilli flakes
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper po]]] wder
• 1 tsp Cumin powder
• 2 tsp paprika powder*
• 1/2 of a tomato* (chopped fine) 
• 3 tbsp Cream cheese 
• 1/2 cup Mozzarella
• 2 eggs
• Salt, as required 

Instructions :

1. Mix all the ingredients under dough by adding water little at a time, the dough should not be sticky, yet soft. Pour some oil over the dough ball, cover with a plastic wrap and to set for around 1 hour. 
2. In a cast iron pan or any heavy bottom pan, pour a dash of olive oil add in your minced meat with a pinch of salt and break the minced meat using a wooden spoon.
3. Once the color of the minced meat changes from red to brown, add in your garlic paste.
4. Allow to cook for a couple of minutes, at this stage it is normal to see a lot of water ooze out of the meat.
5. Next add in your chopped green chillies and sauté.
6. Now add in your spices like onion powder, paprika powder, red chilli flakes, pepper powder, and cumin powder.  
   
   
   
   
   
7. Allow your filling to cool, whilst at that in a bowl Crack 2 eggs, Mozzarella cheese and the cream cheese. 
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9. Next dump in all the contents of the filling to the bowl with eggs and cheese. 
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11. Add a tad bit of salt if required. 
12. Make lemon sized small balls out if the dough. 
13. Pour some oil in your Countertop and press and spread using your fingers and a rolling pin until it is very thin and see through. 
14. Add 2 tbsp of the prepared filling and fold overlapping inner sides and outer sides. 
    
    
    
15. Place the murtabaq on a pan with med high heat pan, seam side down, flip and cook 2 minutes each side or  until a sizzle starts coming, this indicates that the murtabaq is done. Using thongs, cook the sides of the murtabaq too (which only takes seconds). 
16. Serve with your choice of sauce/dip or serve it just like that right away! *

Note:

• You may substitute paprika with Kashmiri Red Chilli powder if you cannot find paprika.
• You may use more tomato if you like. Or you may also add it after the meat cooking process.
• I made a chilli Mayo dip, prepared by mixing hot sauce, Mayo and garlic powder. 

Meatballs in Coconut Gravy

Ingredients :

For the Meatballs:

For the Coconut gravy:

Instructions :

Succulent Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  

Notes:

• You may use beef or lamb Mince for this pie. 
• Increase or decrease the quantity of potatoes depending on the size of your skillet or Dutch oven. 
• Try to use fresh Mince meat for better flavor. 

Turkish Pide

Turkish Pide resembles pizza just like the name suggests. It is one of the most popular foods in Turkey. A flatbread that is boat-shaped consists of meat toppings (minced meat etc), chopped veggies which includes onion, tomatoes etc herbs such as parsley and spices along with some cheese or egg mixture which is completely optional; it is what Turkish Pide comprises. The flatbread is similar to pita bread or the Italian pizza crust. It is known as their fast food that is "slow-cooked". Lahmacun is another dish that is similar to the Turkish Pide. Turkish Pide is made into a boat shape/oval flatbread whereas lahmacun is round in shape made of thin dough topped with minced meat and vegetables. Another name for Turkish Pide is Kiymali Pide.

The flavor-packed Turkish pide is much thicker and they are served in slices. Some people like to bake the pide with raw meat filling, but I like to cook my filling first to be on the safer side and then top it up with the filling. Cooking the meat mince first with the other ingredients like the veggies, spices and herbs helps the flavors to combine well so, we can make sure if the filling is well seasoned/cooked etc.

If you are somone like me who loves simple and easy recipes for lunch/dinner then thi sis defineely one recipe you got to try! The steps seem very intricate and the dish itself looks very sophisticating but I guarantee you one you are done you are going to feel it was so easy and so much FUN to make it! I myslef when I tried it for the first time I was surprised that it was done effortlessly rather I enjoy making it! If you have a kid grab him/her along to bake these 'Pides'. Ask them to help to make the boat shape or maybe to brush some egg wash on already prepared 'Pide'. I bet they are going to love it; not only to bake them but to gorge into them too. This Turkish Pide recipe is BOMB.

I hope you enjoy recreating this Turkish speciality with your loved ones! 

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 350 gms/ 2 and ½ cups All-purpose Flour
• 2 tsp Active dried Yeast
• 1 cup Warm Water
• 3 tsp Olive oil 
• Salt as required

For the Filling:

• 400 gms minced meat (beef/lamb)
• 1 medium Onion, chopped finely
• ½ Green Capsicum/ Bell pepper, chopped finely
• 1 medium Tomato, chopped
• 1 medium Carrot, chopped finely
• 3 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1tbsp Butter
• ¼ tsp Black Pepper powder
• ¼ tsp Paprika
• ¼ tsp Cajun Spice/ Oregano
• Salt as required
  

Instructions: 

1. In a small bowl stir in the yeast to ½ cup warm water. Close the bowl with a lid and set aside for 5-10 minutes for the yeast to activate and froth.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt and make a well in the middle and pour in the olive oil and the yeast mixture.
3. Pour in the remaining ½ cup water and combine to bring the dough from the sides of the bowl and scrape the dough from the bowl completely onto a clean countertop and knead well using your hands.
4. Work the dough for 3-5 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. The more you work with the dough it might start to get sticky, add in a couple of tbsps of flour and olive oil to hep shape into a soft dough.
5. Transfer the dough into the large bowl and cover the bowl with a cling film and set aside for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. While the dough rises the filling can be prepared.
7. In a heavy large pan add a tbsp of butter and pour in some olive oil, once the butter is melted, add the chopped onions and saute well.
8. Season with some salt for the onions to cook faster.
9. Next, add the minced garlic and saute well until fragrant.
   
10. Now add in your veggies - carrot, capsicum, tomatoes and cook well in medium flame.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Now season with salt and pepper and spices like paprika, cajun/oregano etc and squeeze in a tbsp of lemon juice.
12. Once the veggies are done add in some tomato paste which is optional so that it makes the filling look more colorful. 
13. Add in the minced meat and salt and pepper as required.
    
14. Cook until the meat renders some water and the water is reduced. Add in some chili flakes for some fire.
15. Preheat the oven to 350°F/ 180°C
16. Now take the risen dough and place it on a lightly floured countertop and knead for a minute and divide the dough into 4 equal portions.
    
    
    
    
17. Next, roll the dough balls into 4 boat shape/oval shape and transfer the rolled dough into a baking tray lined with baking paper sprinkled with some semolina which helps in even baking.
    
    
    
    
18. Now place and spread the filling leaving the edges with no filling about 2 cm border. (Please see images for better understanding)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
19. Fold the edges to act as a barrier so that the filling stays intact. Press the dough at the 2 ends of the oval shape to form a pointy boat shape.
20. Beat an egg in a small bowl with some olive oil and brush the dough with the mixture using a pastry brush.
21. Bake the Pide for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Notes:

It is easier to fill the flatbread with the topping while the flatbread is placed on the baking tray.

Do try this recipe and don't forget to share your experience/feedback with me here in the comments or feel free to send me a mail. Also, do tag me at #taystedit if you try out my recipes on Facebook, Instagram etc so that I can see when you make it. ♡♡♡♡