Flavorful Turkish Dumplings (Manti) Recipe: A Homemade Joy

Nestled in the culinary landscape of central asian manti, these delectable parcels promise a journey of pure comfort and flavor.

Generations have perfected this beloved dish, passing down techniques from kitchen to kitchen.

Soft dough carefully wraps seasoned meat, creating tiny pockets of pure deliciousness.

Warm yogurt sauce bathes each morsel, infusing rich tangy notes that dance across your palate.

Fragrant spices whisper stories of ancient traditions and familial gatherings.

Small yet mighty, these dumplings represent more than just a meal, they embody cultural connection and love.

Come savor each bite and let these manti transport you to the heart of turkish cuisine.

Turkish Dumplings That Feel Like Homemade Joy

• Quick Family Culinary Adventure: Crafting authentic Turkish dumplings brings excitement and cultural connection to home cooking.
• Complexity-Conquering Comfort: Surprisingly manageable recipe with straightforward steps that transform simple ingredients into gourmet-style dumplings, perfect for home chefs seeking a rewarding kitchen challenge.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Manti offers flexible serving options – customize with yogurt sauce or spicy chili dressing, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and meal occasions.
• Time-Efficient Ethnic Cuisine: Preparation can be done in stages, allowing busy home cooks to break down the process into manageable steps without overwhelming kitchen time commitments.

Turkish Dumplings: What’s Inside

• Flour: Base for creating soft, delicate dumpling wrappers.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the dough.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dough.

• Ground Meat: Hearty protein core of the dumpling.
• Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the filling.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor profile.

• Yogurt, Salt, Garlic: Creamy, tangy sauce with subtle bite.
• Olive Oil, Red Pepper Paste: Spicy, rich chili dressing for drizzling.
• Dried Mint: Fresh, aromatic garnish that adds brightness.

Instructions for Turkish Dumplings (Manti)

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Grab a mixing bowl and pour in flour.

Create a small crater in the center.

Crack eggs into the well and sprinkle in salt.

Whisk the mixture using a fork, starting from the center and moving outward until a cohesive dough forms.

Knead the dough thoroughly by hand until it becomes silky smooth.

Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest peacefully for 20 minutes.

Step 2: Create Savory Filling

In another bowl, blend the filling ingredients thoroughly with your hands.

Ensure all components are well combined.

Cover and set the mixture aside while waiting for the dough to rest.

Step 3: Prepare Serving Sauces

Line two baking trays with parchment paper.

Mix the yogurt dressing ingredients and store in the refrigerator.

Separately, combine olive oil and red pepper paste for the spicy chili dressing.

Keep both sauces ready.

Step 4: Roll and Cut Dough

Sprinkle flour on your work surface.

Roll the dough until it reaches a thin ⅛-inch thickness.

You can use a pasta machine for precision.

Cut the dough into neat 2-inch squares.

Step 5: Shape the Dumplings

Place a small amount of meat filling in the center of each square.

Pinch opposite corners together, creating a charming star-like shape.

Carefully transfer the shaped dumplings onto the prepared baking trays.

Allow them to dry slightly.

Step 6: Boil the Dumplings

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt.

Bring the water to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Carefully drop the dumplings into the water.

Cook for approximately 4 minutes or until they float gracefully to the surface.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Drain the dumplings thoroughly.

Plate immediately and generously drizzle with yogurt sauce and chili dressing.

Sprinkle dried mint on top for an extra burst of flavor.

Serve hot and savor the authentic taste of Turkish cuisine.

Manti Folding Tips To Remember

• Work the dough thoroughly to develop gluten, ensuring a smooth, elastic texture that won't break during cooking.
• Pinch dumpling corners tightly to prevent filling from leaking during boiling, creating neat, compact little packages.
• Dust work surfaces generously with flour to prevent sticking and make rolling and shaping dumplings easier.
• Let dumplings air-dry before cooking to help them maintain their shape and prevent them from becoming soggy.
• Drizzle both yogurt and chili dressings for a balanced flavor profile that combines creamy and spicy elements.

Turkish Dumplings That Stay Tender and Delicious

• Store leftover manti in an airtight container for up to 3 days, ensuring they are completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Carefully place uncooked or cooked dumplings in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They'll keep well for 1-2 months.
• Gently warm manti in a skillet with a splash of water, covering with a lid to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally for even heating.
• Sprinkle a few drops of water over the dumplings, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

Fresh Bites With Dumplings

• Complement Wine Choice: Select a crisp, medium-bodied Turkish red wine like Öküzgözü to balance the rich meat filling and cut through the creamy yogurt sauce.
• Balance Side Dish: Serve a fresh cucumber salad with herbs and lemon to provide a light, tangy contrast to the hearty dumplings' robust flavors.
• Elevate Herbal Notes: Garnish with fresh parsley or dill to add brightness and enhance the aromatics of the chili and mint in the dish.
• Refresh Beverage Option: Pair with ayran, a traditional Turkish yogurt drink, which mirrors the yogurt sauce and cleanses the palate between bites.

Manti Dumpling Filling Ideas

• Vegetarian Manti: Replace meat filling with a mixture of sautéed spinach, feta cheese, and herbs for a plant-based alternative that maintains the traditional dumpling structure.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap wheat flour with a blend of rice flour and cornstarch to create a celiac-friendly dough that still provides a tender, authentic texture.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Use thinly sliced zucchini or cabbage leaves instead of dough squares to wrap the filling, creating a lighter version that reduces carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute yogurt sauce with a cashew cream or coconut-based sauce, and use olive oil instead of dairy products to accommodate lactose-intolerant diners.

FAQs

• Are these dumplings hard to make at home?

No, with practice and patience, you can master Turkish manti. The key is rolling the dough thin and creating consistent dumpling shapes. Start slowly and don’t worry about perfection on your first try.

• What type of meat works best for the filling?

Ground lamb or a mixture of lamb and beef are traditional choices. Ground beef is also perfectly acceptable if lamb isn’t available. Aim for meat with about 20% fat content for the most flavor.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and filling a day in advance. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. The filling can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before assembling the dumplings.

• How do I prevent the dumplings from sticking together?

After shaping the dumplings, let them dry on parchment-lined trays before cooking. When boiling, cook in small batches and avoid overcrowding the pot. Gently stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Turkish Dumplings (Manti) Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Delectable Turkish Manti dumplings dance with robust flavors, blending delicate pasta pockets filled with seasoned ground meat. Savory yogurt sauce and aromatic spices elevate this classic Anatolian comfort dish, inviting you to savor each exquisite bite of culinary tradition.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef
• 400 grams 00 pasta flour
• 4 eggs

Meat Filling Components:

• 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 3 tablespoons oregano leaves, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Dressing and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red pepper paste
• 2 teaspoons dried mint
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dough by creating a well in a flour-filled bowl. Incorporate beaten eggs and salt, gently whisking from the center outward until a cohesive dough emerges. Knead thoroughly until the texture becomes smooth and elastic, then drape with a kitchen cloth and allow to rest for a short period.
2. Thoroughly combine the meat filling ingredients, ensuring even distribution. Set the mixture aside, covered, to maintain moisture and blend flavors.
3. Arrange parchment-lined baking trays as a staging area. Craft the yogurt dressing and refrigerate to enhance its consistency. Separately, blend olive oil with red pepper paste to create a vibrant chili dressing.
4. Transform the rested dough into a thin sheet using a rolling pin or pasta machine, aiming for a delicate ⅛-inch thickness. Precisely cut the dough into uniform 2-inch squares.
5. Carefully position a modest portion of meat filling at the center of each square. Delicately pinch opposite corners, creating an intricate star-shaped configuration. Arrange the formed dumplings on prepared trays, allowing them to air-dry slightly.
6. Generate a gently bubbling water bath with a touch of salt. Carefully introduce the dumplings and monitor until they gracefully float to the surface, indicating perfect doneness.
7. Swiftly drain the dumplings and plate immediately. Embellish with generous dollops of yogurt sauce, a drizzle of spicy chili dressing, and a light dusting of dried mint for an authentic Turkish culinary experience.

Notes

• Flour Quality Matters: Use high-protein wheat flour for a more elastic and sturdy dumpling dough that holds its shape during cooking.
• Filling Finesse: Let the meat mixture rest for 15 minutes before filling to allow flavors to meld and improve overall taste intensity.
• Temperature Technique: Keep dumplings at room temperature before boiling to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute wheat flour with a gluten-free blend made from rice or chickpea flour for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 4 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Turkish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 130mg