Ağzı Yumuk

Meat-filled Pastry 

Filling Ingredients:

• ½ lb. Ground Lamb or Beef
• ½ tsp. Black Pepper
• ½ tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
• ¼ c. Walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. Butter

Dough Ingredients:

• 4 c. Flour
• 3 TBS. Plain Yogurt
• 2 tsp. Salt
• 2 TBS. Olive Oil

1. In an ungreased frying pan, brown the Meat with both Peppers.
2. Just before the meat is finished cooking add the Walnuts and Butter and cook remaining few minutes. Set aside to cool enough to be handled.
3. In a separate bowl, knead together all Dough ingredients until well mixed.
4. Roll out Dough and cut into circles (4 or 5-inch diameter).
5. Place a small amount of Meat mixture in the center of each Dough circle. Fold all sides in towards the center and pinch to seal.
6. Pour some Olive Oil in a deep-frying pan and fry each Ağzı Yumuk until cooked through.
7. Serve hot and eat immediately.

* Ağzı Yumuk, which literally translated means closed mouth, is a traditional Southeastern dish popular in Şanlıurfa. As you bite into it, the delicious fried dough gives way to a burst of meaty flavor on the inside. While this wonderful dish makes a complimentary appetizer or side-dish it is most often categorized with Börek because of the dough so I have chosen to categorize the recipe as such.