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Gozleme with Spinach, Feta, and Ground Meat Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 106 reviews

Gozleme is a traditional Turkish savory flatbread stuffed with delicious fillings such as spinach and feta or savory minced lamb or beef with vegetables and spices. The dough is soft and pliable, rolled out thin, filled generously, then pan-cooked until golden and crispy. This homemade recipe yields a comforting meal or snack perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 2.5 cups (375g) plain/all-purpose flour (see GF note for gluten-free option)
  • 1/3 cup (85ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 cup (185ml) water
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Spinach & Feta Filling

  • 300g (10oz) baby spinach
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 300g (10oz) Danish soft feta cheese
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)

Lamb or Beef Filling

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 500g (1 lb) beef or lamb mince
  • 1 capsicum/bell pepper, chopped
  • 90g (3oz) baby spinach
  • 1.5 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 120g (4oz) Danish feta cheese
  • 1 – 1.5 tbsp olive oil for cooking gozleme
  • Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Make Dough: Fit a stand mixer with dough hook. Combine flour, olive oil, salt, and water in the bowl. Mix on medium-high speed (speed 7) for 2.5 minutes until dough forms a smooth, pliable, non-sticky ball. Cover and rest dough for 20 minutes to relax gluten.
  2. Prepare Dough for Rolling: Lightly flour a work surface. Divide rested dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rectangle approximately 35cm x 20cm (14″ x 8″).
  3. Prepare Fillings: Choose either Lamb/Beef Filling or Spinach & Feta Filling, or make half batches of both.
  4. Lamb or Beef Filling: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sauté minced garlic and chopped onion for 1 minute. Add chopped capsicum and cook for 2 minutes. Add mince and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Stir in cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, and water. Cook for 2 more minutes. Add baby spinach and stir until wilted. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. Spinach & Feta Filling: In a bowl, combine baby spinach, minced garlic, eggs, and black pepper. Use your hands to scrunch and reduce the volume, making the spinach wilt and floppy. Add crumbled feta cheese and mix through evenly.
  6. Assemble Gozleme: Spread your chosen filling evenly over half of a rolled-out dough rectangle, pushing filling close to the edges. For Lamb/Beef filling, sprinkle crumbled feta on top. For Spinach & Feta filling, sprinkle shredded mozzarella if desired. Fold the other half of the dough over filling, pressing edges firmly to seal and push out air pockets. Use a little water if needed to seal completely.
  7. Cook Gozleme: Sprinkle some flour on a round pizza peel or flat surface to transfer gozleme. Heat 1.5 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Slide the filled gozleme into the skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes, pressing lightly with a spatula including the edges, until the underside is deep golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side similarly until golden and crisp.
  8. Serve: Transfer cooked gozleme to a cutting board. Cut into 6 or 8 triangular pieces. Serve warm immediately with lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the plain flour with a suitable gluten-free flour blend (see Note 4 in original recipe).
  • Danish feta soft cheese provides the best texture; if unavailable, use a good quality brined soft feta.
  • Mozzarella cheese is optional in the spinach filling but adds a nice melty texture.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper quantity according to your preferred spice level.
  • Using two pans simultaneously can speed up the cooking process.
  • Ensure dough is not sticky but pliable for best rolling and shaping results.

Keywords: Gozleme, Turkish flatbread, spinach and feta gozleme, lamb gozleme, savory stuffed flatbread, Turkish street food

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/gozleme-with-spinach-feta-and-ground-meat-recipe/