Description
Turkish dumplings, known as Manti, are small pasta pockets traditionally filled with spiced ground meat. They’re topped with a cool garlicky yogurt sauce and a warm, aromatic spiced butter or oil for a delicious, comforting dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup water (more as needed)
- Filling:
- 1/2 pound ground lamb or beef
- 1 small onion, finely grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- Garlicky Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Spiced Butter/Oil:
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried mint (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the egg and water, mixing until a firm dough forms. Knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth. Cover with a damp cloth and rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: Mix ground meat, grated onion, salt, pepper, and cumin (if using) in a bowl until well combined. Set aside.
- Roll and Fill Dumplings: Roll the rested dough into a thin sheet (about 1/16-inch thick). Cut into 1.5-inch squares. Place a small amount of filling (about 1/2 teaspoon) in the center of each square. Pinch the corners together to form a sealed dumpling.
- Cook the Dumplings: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add dumplings in batches and cook for 6–8 minutes or until they float and are cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon.
- Make the Yogurt Sauce: Mix yogurt, garlic, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- Make the Spiced Oil: In a small pan, melt butter or heat oil over medium heat. Add paprika, red pepper flakes, and mint (if using). Stir for 1–2 minutes, being careful not to burn the spices.
- Assemble: Plate the cooked dumplings, spoon the yogurt sauce generously over them, and drizzle with the hot spiced oil. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use store-bought wonton wrappers for a shortcut.
- To freeze, place shaped but uncooked dumplings on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the boiling time.
- You can also bake or pan-fry the dumplings for a crispier variation.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Boiled
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 12–15 dumplings with sauce)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 95mg