Muhammara Pastries – Recipe and Preparation Method

Muhammara Pastries – Recipe and Preparation Method

Muhammara pastries are a type of savory pastry that can be served as a main dish for breakfast. Known for their delicious taste and high-calorie content, they provide energy throughout the day, making them ideal for morning consumption.

This recipe is easy to prepare, taking about 20 minutes to bake and yielding 20 pastries.

Main Ingredients for Muhammara Pastries:

Dough Ingredients:

• 3½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1 tablespoon of fine granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon of instant yeast

Filling Ingredients:

• 4 tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon of spicy red pepper paste (Dibs al-falafel)
• ½ teaspoon of white pepper
• ¾ teaspoon of salt

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of sunflower oil
• 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon of black cumin seeds (Nigella seeds)

Preparation Method:

1. Preparing the Dough: In a medium bowl, mix the salt, sugar, yeast, and water, whisking well with a hand whisk until the sugar dissolves completely.

2. In a large bowl, place the flour and powdered milk, then add the yeast mixture and melted butter. Knead well by hand until you have a smooth, cohesive dough. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place for 10 minutes until the dough doubles in size.

3. Shape the dough into a cylinder and cut it into 20 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, sprinkle some flour into the same bowl, return the dough balls, cover again with plastic wrap, and let them rest for another 10 minutes.

4. Preparing the Filling: In a large, deep pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, stirring with a wooden spoon until the garlic becomes fragrant and the onion turns light golden. Add the red pepper paste and chopped tomatoes, stirring until well combined. Add the white pepper and salt, reduce the heat, and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes until the tomatoes are well cooked and the mixture thickens.

5. Grease a baking tray with sunflower oil using a wide brush and set it aside. Take each dough ball, roll it out on a floured surface with a rolling pin, and place 1 teaspoon of the prepared filling in the center of each piece. Fold the dough over to form an oval shape. Repeat the process with all the remaining dough balls and filling.

6. Arrange the pastries on the baking tray, sprinkle each with sesame seeds and black cumin seeds, cover with plastic wrap, and let them rise again in a warm place until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F), place the tray on the middle rack, and bake for 15-20 minutes until the pastries are light golden.

7. Finally, remove the tray from the oven, arrange the pastries on a serving plate, and serve immediately.

Enjoy your Muhammara pastries, hoping they bring warmth and joy to your breakfast table!