Mutabbaq (Stuffed Pan-Fried Pastry with Spiced Meat and Egg)
Local name: مطبق
In short: Stretched, folded dough envelopes stuffed with spiced beef, egg, leek and parsley, pan-fried until crisp and golden and cut into squares. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Calories
- 390 kcal
Mutabbaq is a stuffed pan-fried pastry from the Hejaz that is sold at street stalls and bakeries, especially in Ramadan. The dough is stretched paper-thin on an oiled surface, loaded with a filling of spiced minced meat, egg, leek and parsley, then folded into a neat square envelope and fried on a griddle. The outside is crisp and layered, and the inside soft and savory. It is eaten with lemon and a spicy tomato sauce.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, salt and sugar, add the water and knead for 8 minutes into a soft, smooth dough. Divide into 8 balls, coat each in oil and rest in an oiled dish for at least 1 hour.
- Heat the tablespoon of oil in a pan and cook the onion for 5 minutes. Add the beef and cook for 8 minutes until browned and dry. Stir in the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, salt and pepper and cool.
- Mix the cooled meat with the leek, parsley and beaten eggs.
- Oil your work surface and your hands. Stretch one ball into a very thin square of about 30 cm (12 in), using your fingertips and palms.
- Spoon one eighth of the filling into the center. Fold the four sides inward to make a neat square envelope about 12 cm (5 in) wide, sealing the filling in completely.
- Heat a large flat pan over medium heat with a little oil. Fry each envelope for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and crisp and the egg is set. The center should reach 71°C (160°F).
- Rest for 2 minutes, cut into squares and serve hot with lemon and chili sauce.
Tips
- Oil, not flour, is the key to stretching the dough. A well-oiled surface lets you pull it thin without tearing, and a long rest relaxes the gluten.
- If stretching is a challenge, roll the dough with a rolling pin and then pull it by hand. Chicken or a cheese and herb filling are tasty alternatives.
Questions and answers
Can I make mutabbaq ahead?
Assemble the folded pastries, chill for up to a day and fry when needed. Fried ones keep 2 days in the fridge and reheat in a hot pan.
Can I bake mutabbaq?
Yes, brush with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, though they will not be as crisp.
Can I freeze it?
Freeze the uncooked folded envelopes between sheets of parchment for up to 1 month, then fry from frozen over lower heat for a few extra minutes.
How long does it take to make Mutabbaq (Stuffed Pan-Fried Pastry with Spiced Meat and Egg)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 1 h of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mutabbaq (Stuffed Pan-Fried Pastry with Spiced Meat and Egg)?
About 390 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 39 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 39 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
