Spinach Dumplings (Gökli Börek)
Spinach Dumplings (Gökli Börek)
INGREDIENTS:
For the filling:
1 kg fresh spinach
8 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons flour
6 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon salt
For the dough:
~250 ml (1 cup) warm water
1 teaspoon salt
500 g (3 1/3 cups) flour
To cook:
3 l (12 cups) water
1 tablespoon salt
To serve:
plain yogurt
dried mint
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Rinse the spinach well and shake off excess water. Add the spinach to the boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Drain the spinach in a colander and transfer to a bowl of cold water (to preserve its green color). Drain the spinach again and using a wooden spoon, crush the leaves and stems.
2. Heat oil in a pan. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat. When the flour turns slightly brown, add water and give it a few stirs. Add the crushed spinach and salt. Stir well and turn off the heat.
3. For the dough, mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and knead until the dough is hard and elastic. Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each of them into a ball. Cover the dough balls with a kitchen towel and let them rest for 5 minutes.
5. Place about a teaspoon of filling in the center of each square. Fold the dough in half and pinch the edges together. Arrange the dumplings on a lightly floured tray and keep them covered with a kitchen towel as you work with the other dough ball.
6. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in the dumplings and cook for 10-12 minutes. Remove the dumplings with a handled strainer.
7. To serve, spread some yogurt over a serving dish, transfer the drained dumplings to the dish, add more yogurt and give the plate a shake to mix it in. Sprinkle with dried mint (optional).
From: http://turkmenkitchen.com/en/2012/10/28/spinach-dumplings/
Kädi Bulamak/Pumpkin Soup
Kädi Bulamak/Pumpkin Soup
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
300 g pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and diced
750 ml water
Pinch of salt
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Pinch of coarse ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the finely chopped onion.
3. When the onion begins to soften, add the diced pumpkin and stir for 5 minutes.
4. Add the water, salt, red and black pepper.
5. Put the lid on the pot and cook until the pumpkin is tender, about 15 minutes.
6. When the pumpkin is done, mash it with a wooden spoon.
7. Serve warm.
