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Shish Barak

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Shish Barak is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made of meat-filled dumplings simmered in a creamy garlic-yogurt sauce. This comforting meal is rich in flavor and heritage, with spiced ground meat, tender homemade dough, and aromatic herbs.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup water (adjust as needed)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or ghee (for dough)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for filling)
  • 250g ground beef or lamb
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (for filling)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 cups plain yogurt
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch or 1 egg (to stabilize yogurt)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (for sauce)
  • 1 tsp dried mint
  • 1 tsp fresh or dried coriander
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for flavoring the sauce)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix flour, water, salt, and olive oil to form a smooth dough. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pan, add onion and garlic, and sauté until softened. Add ground meat, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned and set aside to cool.
  3. Roll out the dough thinly and cut into small circles. Place a small spoon of meat filling in each, fold into a half-moon, then pinch corners to form crescents.
  4. Optional: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake dumplings on a tray for 10 minutes.
  5. In a pot, whisk yogurt with cornstarch or egg over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly.
  6. Gently add dumplings to the yogurt sauce and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. In a small pan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic with dried mint and coriander. Pour into the yogurt sauce before serving.
  8. Serve warm, optionally with rice or a light salad.

Notes

Use Greek yogurt thinned with water if regular yogurt is unavailable.Stir yogurt sauce constantly to prevent curdling.Dumplings can be frozen before cooking for future use.Baking dumplings adds flavor and helps them hold their shape.Filling and dough can be made ahead for easier preparation.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookibly.com/shish-barak/