Name: Turkish Dumplings (Manti) Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 400 g 00 pasta flour; 4 eggs; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1 lb ground beef; 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped; 3 tbsp oregano leaves, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tsp ground black pepper; 1 tsp kosher salt; 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt; 2 tbsp water; 1/4 tsp kosher salt; 4 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp red pepper paste; 2 tsp dried mint

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Introduction

Turkish Dumplings, known as Manti, are bite-sized parcels filled with savory ground beef and herbs. Served with a cooling yogurt sauce and a spicy chili oil, this dish offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures that’s perfect for any meal.

A white plate with a blue decorative pattern holds about eight dumplings arranged close together, each dumpling is light brown with a smooth, thin dough wrapped around a visible filling at the base. The dumplings are covered generously with a creamy white sauce that has a soft, thick texture, drizzled with bright red chili oil and sprinkled with finely crushed dark spices. Two sprigs of fresh green mint leaves sit at the right edge of the plate, providing a fresh contrast to the warm tones of the food. The dish rests on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

400 g 00 pasta flour
4 eggs
2 tsp kosher salt
1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
3 tbsp oregano leaves, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp water
1/4 tsp kosher salt
4 tbsp olive oil (See Note 1)
2 tbsp red pepper paste (See Note 1)
2 tsp dried mint

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, add the flour and make a well in the center. Beat the eggs and add to the well along with the salt. Using a fork, start from the middle and move outwards, whisking until the dough begins to come together. Then mix by hand until you have a smooth ball of dough. Cover with a tea towel and let it rest for 20 minutes while you prepare the filling.
Step 2: In another bowl, combine the ground beef, parsley, oregano, garlic, diced onion, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly with your hands, cover with a tea towel, and set aside.
Step 3: Line two baking trays with parchment paper. Prepare the yogurt dressing by mixing the Greek yogurt with water and salt, then refrigerate. In a separate small bowl, combine olive oil and red pepper paste and set aside for the chili dressing.
Step 4: On a clean floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness, or use a pasta machine if available. Cut the dough into 2-inch squares using a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Save scraps to roll out again until all dough is used.
Step 5: Place 2 teaspoons of the meat filling in the center of each square. Using your fingertips, pinch opposite corners together above the filling to form a star shape. Place each dumpling on the prepared trays to dry while you make the rest.
Step 6: Continue until all dough and filling are used. This recipe should make about 36 to 40 dumplings.
Step 7: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add the dumplings carefully; they will sink at first. Gently stir to prevent sticking, and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the dumplings float to the surface.
Step 8: Drain the dumplings and serve immediately. Spoon the yogurt sauce over the dumplings, drizzle with the chili dressing, and sprinkle with dried mint for a classic finish.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, swap the ground beef for finely chopped mushrooms or a mix of cooked lentils and spices.
If you can’t find 00 pasta flour, use all-purpose flour, but the dough may be slightly less tender.
Make extra chili oil by warming olive oil with red pepper flakes and garlic for a more intense topping.
To save time, prepare the dumplings ahead and freeze them on baking trays before transferring to freezer bags.

Storage

Store any leftover manti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a little water and cover to steam them through or briefly microwave. For longer storage, freeze the uncooked dumplings as noted above and cook directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the boiling time.

How to Serve

The dish is a white oval plate with a classic blue patterned rim, filled with about ten dumplings or rolls made from light beige dough, each folded into a pouch shape. These dumplings are layered with a thick white yogurt or cream sauce that covers most of their surface, sprinkled generously with dark green dried herbs and reddish-orange chili flakes and oil drizzled unevenly. There are two fresh mint leaves placed on the side of the plate as garnish. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat for the filling?

Yes, ground lamb or a mix of beef and lamb work well and add a richer flavor typical in some regional manti recipes.

Is there a shortcut to making the dough?

If pressed for time, you can use store-bought wonton wrappers, though the texture will be slightly different. Homemade dough yields the best, authentic results.