Shish- Barak (Beef Dumplings w/ Greek Style Yogurt)

This dish is a special request from one of my readers.

Shish-barak is an old traditional Arabic dish that is varied a little from country to country in Middle East. The dumplings are made different by sometimes frying them, baking them, or even leaving them as raw dough (the meat is always cooked).

 Baking them to me is a healthier tastier way to make it, and my family enjoys it this way.  I used Greek style yogurt (which is more tart than sweet) mixed with fresh mint and crushed garlic, gives it a nice authentic flavor.  I shared this dish with my family and my friends who enjoyed this dish with me in the past.  Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Ingredients:

For the filling:

2 lbs ground beef well cooked

2 large onions finely chopped

1/ 2 tea all spices

1/ 2 tea spoon cumin

1/ 2 tea spoon paprika (I used the spicy one)

Salt to your taste

For the dough:

3 cups all- purpose flour

1/ 2 cup olive oil

Salt to your taste

Water.

For the sauce:

2 lbs of Greek style yogurt

2 table spoons dried mint

Small bunch of fresh green mint

Salt and pepper

1 table spoon of corn starch well dissolved in 1/ 4 of cup of water

2 table spoon of ghee.

3 cloves garlic minced.

1 egg

1 /2 cup washed drained and roasted walnuts. You can use also pine nuts.

Preparation:

For the fillings:

Mix ground beef and chopped onions and all spices and cook until well done it. (I like to sear the meat, don’t make it where it’s watery and bubbly) set aside to cool down.

For the dough:

Mix the flour and the salt, add the oil and start adding water slowly while you are mixing until it forms like a dough , then start knead it until soft, let it rest for about 1 hour.

For the sauce:

Add the egg, salt and corn starch (mixed already) to the yogurt and mix by whisking it very well. Add black pepper and dried mint and mix again.

Start cooking the mixer in a saucepan on low heat, STIRRING CONSTANTLY, Bring to boil.

In a small pan add ghee chopped mints and garlic sauté for 3 minutes, add to the sauce. And mix

Serve while warm almost hot. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENJOY!

~ by simplyheavenfood on June 18, 2009.