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Turkish Pogaca Recipe

Turkish breakfast rolls pogaca recipe with cheese filling
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5 from 11 reviews

Turkish style super soft mini buns stuffed with cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

For its dough:

  • 4 cups (480 grams)  flour
  • 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup warm milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup lukewarm water or mineral water, at room temperature
  • 1/2 stick (50 grams) butter, softened

For its filling:

  • Half bunch of parsley
  • 1 and 1/2 cup feta cheese (you can use a mixture of your favorite cheeses)

For coating their top:

  • 1 egg yolk
  • Poppy seeds or nigella seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough:

    1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
    2. Add in the milk, oil, water, and butter. Mix well either by hand or using a stand mixer until everything is combined.
    3. Knead the mixture for about 5 minutes until smooth.
    4. Shape the dough into a ball and place it back in the bowl.
    5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, followed by a kitchen towel.
    6. Allow the dough to rest for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

  2. Prepare the Filling:

    1. Finely chop the parsley.
    2. Mix the chopped parsley with the cheese. Set aside.

  3. Shaping and Filling:

    1. After the dough has risen, uncover it and punch it down to release any air bubbles.
    2. Knead the dough either on a clean surface or within the bowl for an additional 2-3 minutes.
    3. Take a small piece of the dough and flatten it either with your hands or on the counter.
    4. Place a tablespoon of the cheese and parsley mixture onto the center of the flattened dough.
    5. Fold the edges of the dough upwards, enclosing the filling, and form into a ball shape. Ensure the folded edges are on the bottom.
    6. Place the filled dough ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring there is an inch of space between each.
    7. Once all are shaped, cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for a second rise, which should take about 20-30 minutes.

  4. Baking:

    1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
    2. Beat the egg yolk thoroughly.
    3. Using a brush, coat the top of each pogaca with the beaten egg yolk.
    4. Sprinkle nigella seeds over the top of each pogaca.
    5. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes or until they turn golden in color.

  5. Post-Baking:

    1. After baking, remove the pogacas from the oven.
    2. Cover them with a damp kitchen towel and let them rest for about 15 minutes.

Notes

  1. Yeast: Always ensure your yeast is fresh for optimal rising. Expired or old yeast can result in a dense dough. If using active dry yeast, consider proofing it first by dissolving it in warm (not hot) water with a pinch of sugar. It should become frothy in about 5-10 minutes.
  2. Dough Consistency: Aim for a soft and slightly sticky dough. If the dough is too dry, it won't rise well and will produce a dense pogaca. If it's too wet, add flour a little at a time.
  3. Rising Environment: Place your dough in a warm, draft-free place for rising. This could be in an off oven with the light on or near a warm spot in the kitchen. The ideal temperature for yeast to work is around 27°C (80°F). Ensure that the dough is covered to prevent a skin from forming on its surface.
  4. Filling: Don't over-stuff. While it's tempting to add a lot of filling, too much can cause the dough to tear or not seal properly, leading to leaks during baking.
  5. Shaping: Ensure that the sealed part is at the bottom to maintain the rounded shape of the pogaca.
  6. Egg Wash: The egg yolk gives the pogaca a shiny, golden finish. For a richer color, you can add a teaspoon of milk to the egg yolk.
  7. Baking: Monitor the pogacas toward the end of baking to ensure they don't overbrown.
  8. Storage: If not consuming immediately, store the pogacas in an airtight container to maintain their softness.
  9. Serving: Pogacas are best enjoyed warm. If you've stored them, consider reheating them slightly before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.giverecipe.com/fluffy-pogaca/