History:
Manti is a traditional Turkish dish with a history dating back hundreds of years. It's often considered a type of dumpling, consisting of small parcels of Dough filled with flavorful minced meat and served with yogurt and a garlic-infused tomato sauce. Manti has been a beloved dish in Turkey for generations, and it's also popular in several other countries in the region, each with its own unique twist on the recipe.
Ingredients: For the Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
For the Filling:
- 250g ground Mutton or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Yogurt:
- 1 cup thick Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
For Assembly:
- Butter (optional)
- Dried mint flakes (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Gradually add water and knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
2. Make the Filling:
- In a separate bowl, mix the ground meat, finely chopped onion, Minced Garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Ensure the filling is well combined.
3. Roll and Cut the Dough:
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it's very thin.
- Cut the dough into small squares, about 2x2 inches in size.
4. Fill the Dough Squares:
- Place a small amount of the meat filling in the center of each dough square.
- Fold the dough over the filling to create a triangle, sealing the edges tightly.
5. Cook the Manti:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Carefully add the manti to the boiling water and cook until they float to the surface, indicating they are done. This typically takes about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the cooked manti from the water using a slotted spoon and set them aside.
6. Make the Tomato Sauce:
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste, paprika, red pepper flakes, and crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer the sauce until it thickens, stirring occasionally.
7. Prepare the Yogurt:
- In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, and salt. Mix well until smooth.