Fataya (Senegalese Fried Meat Pastries)
In short: Crisp half-moon pastries filled with spiced beef and onion, deep-fried until blistered and golden, and eaten warm with hot pepper sauce. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 50 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 420 kcal
Fataya are crisp half-moon pastries filled with seasoned beef, sold at street stalls and served at Ramadan fast-breaking and family parties. The dough is rolled thin so it blisters and crackles in the fryer, and the filling is cooked dry so it does not leak. They are eaten warm with a spoonful of hot pepper sauce. This recipe makes about 16, and the shaped, uncooked pastries freeze well.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, salt and baking powder. Add the oil and warm water and knead for 5 minutes into a smooth, firm dough. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the onion for 5 minutes. Add the beef and cook for 8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through to 71°C (160°F).
- Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, chili, pepper and salt and cook for 2 minutes. Cook until no liquid remains, then add the parsley and cool completely.
- Roll the dough to 2 mm (1/16 inch) thick on a floured surface. Cut out 10 cm (4 inch) circles and re-roll the scraps.
- Put a heaped tablespoon of filling on each circle. Wet the edge with a finger dipped in water, fold into a half-moon and press the edge with a fork to seal.
- Heat the frying oil to 175°C (350°F) in a deep, heavy pot. Fry 4 or 5 pastries at a time for 3 to 4 minutes, turning, until blistered and golden.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm with hot pepper sauce.
Tips
- Make sure the filling is completely cool and dry before shaping. Warm or wet filling softens the dough and makes seams burst in the oil.
- To bake instead, brush the pastries with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20 to 25 minutes. The crust will be less blistered but still crisp.
Questions and answers
Can I freeze fataya?
Yes. Freeze the shaped, unfried pastries on a tray, then bag them for up to 2 months. Fry straight from frozen for 5 to 6 minutes at a slightly lower temperature.
What fillings are used for fataya?
Seasoned beef is common, and fish with onion and parsley is another favorite. A spiced potato or vegetable filling also works.
How do I stop the pastries from opening while frying?
Do not overfill, and press the seam firmly with a fork. Pastries also open when the oil is too cold, so keep it near 175°C (350°F).
How long does it take to make Fataya (Senegalese Fried Meat Pastries)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 50 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fataya (Senegalese Fried Meat Pastries)?
About 420 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 41 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 420 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 41 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
