Meat pies like the Turks make

Meat Pies Like at the Bakery - A Homemade Delicacy

Introduction

Meat pies are an iconic dish that blends tradition with flavor, loved by everyone. This recipe for Turkish-style meat pies will provide you with a perfect culinary experience, and their aroma will make your mouth water. Additionally, the advantage of making them at home allows you to control the ingredients and portions. These pies also freeze excellently, making them perfect for those moments when you crave something delicious without too much effort.

Preparation Time

- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Baking time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
- Number of servings: 12 pies

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 400 g flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 packet dry yeast or 25 g fresh yeast
- Warm water, as needed (approximately 200-250 ml)
- Sunflower oil, for greasing

For the filling:
- 250 g minced beef
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 4-5 large garlic cloves, crushed
- Pepper, to taste
- Ground meat spices (e.g., paprika, thyme)
- 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 small can of tomato paste (approximately 140 g)
- 1 teaspoon chili paste or hot pepper paste
- 1 beaten egg, for brushing
- Poppy seeds, for sprinkling on top

Preparation

1. Making the dough: In a large bowl, add the flour and make a well in the center. Add the eggs, salt, sugar, and yeast. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ones, then gradually add warm water, stirring with a spoon or your hands until you obtain a smooth dough. Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. Cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

2. Making the filling: In a large skillet, heat a little sunflower oil. Add the onion and sauté until golden. Then, add the minced meat and mix well. Cook until the meat is nearly done, adding the crushed garlic, pepper, and meat spices. When the meat is almost cooked, add the soy sauce, tomato paste, and chili paste. Mix well and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the filling cool.

3. Forming the pies: Once the dough has risen, sprinkle flour on the work surface and roll it out to a thickness of about 0.5 cm. Cut out circles or squares, depending on your preference. In the center of each shape, place 2-3 teaspoons of meat filling. Fold the dough, forming a semicircle or pie, and seal the edges well by pressing with your fingers or a fork.

4. Baking the pies: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the pies on a greased baking tray, brush them with beaten egg, and sprinkle poppy seeds on top. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden and crispy. The aroma that will spread throughout the house is unforgettable!

5. Serving: The pies can be enjoyed warm or cold and pair wonderfully with a fresh salad or spicy sauces. If you have leftover pies, you can easily freeze them. Just let them cool completely, then place them in a bag or airtight container and keep them in the freezer. When you're craving them, you can reheat them in the microwave or oven.

Useful Tips

- Ingredients: Choose a quality beef that is slightly fatty to achieve a juicy filling.
- Vegetarian option: You can replace the meat with mushrooms or feta cheese mixed with spinach for a delicious vegetarian option.
- Seasoning: Add your favorite spices to the filling, such as oregano or cumin, for a personalized taste.
- Fat: Olive oil can be used instead of sunflower oil for a more intense flavor.

Nutritional Information

Each pie contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the filling and the amount of oil used. These pies are a good source of protein due to the meat and egg, and by adding vegetables, you can increase the vitamin content.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use chicken? Yes, you can use minced chicken, and the pies will have a different but equally delicious flavor.
2. How long do they keep in the freezer? The pies can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months without losing their taste and texture.
3. How can I serve them? These pies are excellent as appetizers but can also be served as a main dish alongside a salad or spicy sauce.

Conclusion

These Turkish-style meat pies are not just a simple recipe but a wonderful way to bring a touch of tradition into everyday life. Consider them a culinary gift for your loved ones that will bring smiles and appreciation to every meal. Cook them with love and enjoy every bite!

A dough is prepared from about 400 grams of flour, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar, yeast, and warm water enough to absorb the flour. This dough is kneaded by hand in a kitchen bowl. It is covered and left to rise. In a little olive oil, in a pan, the minced beef is cooked together with the 2 chopped onions, garlic, pepper, and spices for minced meat. When the meat is almost cooked, a little soy sauce is added. Then the heat is turned off, the whole small jar of tomato paste and 1 teaspoon of chili paste are added. On a clean work surface sprinkled with flour, the dough is rolled out not too thick but not too thin, cut into squares, and in each square, 2-3 teaspoons of the meat filling are placed. The squares are closed, placed in a greased baking tray, brushed with beaten egg, and sprinkled with poppy seeds. They are baked in a well-preheated oven at about 180 degrees for about 15 minutes. When they are ready, they smell amazing and are beautifully browned. They are taken out and eaten hot or cold, and they keep excellently in the freezer. They are very good!

 Ingredients: about 400 grams of flour, 2 eggs, a little sunflower oil, salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 packet of yeast or fresh yeast, 250 grams of minced beef, 2 onions, 4-5 large cloves of garlic, pepper, spices for minced meat, a little soy sauce, 1 small can of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of hot pepper paste or chili paste (sambal), 1 beaten egg for brushing, poppy seeds.