These beautiful and delectable little meat pies can be served alone as an hors d'oeuvre or as an appetizer recipe, but also as part of a larger meal. Fatayer, also known as Sfeeha (when they are meat-filled), make wonderful hot or cold snacks for parties, picnics and tailgating, too. This is an easy recipe that transports well and appeals to all ages and tastes.
If the cook is pressed for time, a frozen puff pastry or phyllo dough can be substituted for the traditional dough. In fact, the meat filling works well as a meal in itself. For a light dinner menu, simply skip the dough and serve the filling with a nice green salad.
Fatayer Dough Recipe – Yields 3 Dozen Syrian Meat Pies
Ingredients:
- 1 yeast cake (or package of dry yeast granules)
- 3 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ cup oil
- 1 stick of butter (½ cup), melted
- 2 pounds all purpose flour
To prepare:
- Pour the warm water into a mixing bowl and add yeast, and let stand for a few minutes to proof.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the salt, oil and melted butter.
- Add the warm water – yeast mixture to the salt and oils, and stir well to combine.
- Gradually add the flour, stirring until a soft smooth dough is achieved.
- Knead the dough until it is smooth and satiny.
- Cut the dough into about 36 small sections.
- Cover the dough balls with a towel and allow to rise in a warm draft free area for about 1½ hours.
Fatayer Meat Filling Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds lean ground beef or lamb meat
- 4 medium onions chopped
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- ½ medium bell pepper, chopped
- 1 large can of whole tomatoes
- Salt, Pepper and Cinnamon, to taste
To prepare:
- Brown the meat in a small amount of oil
- Add the onions, celery, bell pepper and sauté until they begin to soften.
- Add the canned tomatoes and season to taste with the salt, pepper and cinnamon.
- Cook this mixture down until all of the water has evaporated and the tomatoes are almost dry.
To Assemble the Fatayer
- Take a piece of the dough in hand and press it into a 3 or 4 inch round, about ¼ inch thick.
- Place a spoonful of the filling mixture in the center of the dough round.
- Draw up and seal three edges of the dough to create a triangle – leaving a small opening in the center.
- Repeat steps 1 – 3 until all the dough and filling have been used.
- Arrange the meat pies on a greased baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven for 15 – 20 minutes, or until the Fatayer are lightly browned.
- Serve hot or cold.
Readers interested in further exploring Asian foods might also like an easy curry recipe for Spicy Lamb Madras, a Hunan style Hot and Sour Soup recipe, or a zesty vegetarian Indian dish called Tarka Dhal.
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