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Shish Barak with Yogurt Sauce and Garlic Pine Nut Topping Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 57 reviews

Shish Barak is a traditional Middle Eastern dish featuring tender meat-filled dumplings cooked in a creamy, tangy yogurt sauce. This comforting recipe combines flavorful spiced ground beef parcels enveloped in a thin, handmade dough and served with a fragrant garlic, pine nut, and parsley topping that adds a satisfying crunch and aroma. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or main course, this dish showcases the rich, vibrant flavors of Levantine cuisine.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Filling

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • ½ White onion, finely chopped
  • 2 Garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced
  • ½ lbs Ground beef (lean or extra lean)
  • 2 tbsp Pine nuts
  • 1 tsp Baharat (7-Spice blend: equal parts cumin, coriander, cinnamon)
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup Parsley, finely chopped

For the Dough

  • 3 cups All purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup Water (use more or less to get a smooth pliable dough)
  • ½ tsp Salt

For the Yogurt Sauce

  • 4 cups Plain yogurt (2% fat)
  • 1 Egg yolk
  • 1 tbsp Corn starch
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 3 tbsp Olive oil
  • 3–5 Garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 2 tbsp Pine nuts
  • ¼ cup Fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp Aleppo pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling: In a frying pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and sauté chopped onion and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add ground beef and cook for 4-6 minutes until browned. Stir in pine nuts, baharat, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until fragrant and liquid evaporates. Remove from heat, mix in chopped parsley, and adjust seasoning. Set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a bowl, combine flour, vegetable oil, water, and salt. Mix with a fork or hands until the dough forms a shaggy mass.
  3. Knead the Dough: Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 4-6 minutes until smooth and pliable. Cover with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
  4. Roll the Dough: Roll the dough into a thin sheet about 1/8″ thick. Cut out 3″ diameter circles using a glass or cookie cutter. Re-roll scraps and cut more circles.
  5. Add Filling: Place 1 teaspoon of meat filling in the center of each dough circle.
  6. Fold and Seal: Fold dough over the filling to form a half moon shape. Seal edges firmly with your fingers.
  7. Form Dumplings: Pinch the ends of each half moon together to create a tortellini-like shape. Ensure dumplings are well sealed.
  8. Broil the Dumplings (Optional): Arrange dumplings on a parchment-lined baking tray, brush or spray with olive oil. Broil for 7-10 minutes until lightly browned, being careful not to burn.
  9. Prepare Yogurt Sauce: Blend yogurt, egg yolk, cornstarch, and salt until smooth. Transfer to a medium pot over medium-low heat. Stir constantly and bring to a gentle simmer for 5-8 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust consistency with water if needed, avoiding high heat to prevent splitting.
  10. Cook Dumplings in Sauce: Add dumplings to hot yogurt sauce and simmer for 5-8 minutes to cook the dough and heat through.
  11. Make Garlic Topping (Adha): In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Fry minced garlic until golden (2-3 minutes). Add pine nuts and fry for another minute until browned. Remove from heat, stir in Aleppo pepper flakes if using, and carefully add chopped parsley (watch for splattering). Stir and set aside.
  12. Garnish and Serve: Serve the shish barak in a large bowl or individual bowls, topped generously with the garlic, pine nut, and parsley oil mixture.

Notes

  • The broiling step is optional but enhances flavor and texture of dumplings.
  • Ensure the yogurt sauce is gently simmered and stirred constantly to avoid curdling.
  • You can prepare and freeze uncooked dumplings for later use.
  • Adjust seasoning of filling and yogurt sauce to your taste preference.
  • For a milder dish, omit Aleppo pepper flakes in the topping.

Keywords: Shish Barak, Middle Eastern dumplings, Yogurt dumplings, Ground beef dumplings, Levantine cuisine, Traditional Arabic recipe

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/shish-barak-with-yogurt-sauce-and-garlic-pine-nut-topping-recipe/