Shish Barak

• total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Meat filled dumplings in a savoury yogurt sauce

The dough for these dumplings are traditionally hand made and stuffed but this a great way to get the dish on the table in a fraction of the time and effort!

Filling:

1 tbs olive oil

1lb ground beef

1 medium onion, diced finely

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp 7spice

Directions

Cook the ground beef in olive oil until no longer pink, then add the onion and cook until softened. Add salt and pepper, cook until liquid is all gone. Set aside until cooled completely.

Dumplings:

400g wonton or dumpling wrappers

Stuff about 1/2 tbs of the meat mixture into the center of each wonton wrapper. Dip your finger into water and rub it against each edge of the wrapper. Fold over the wrapper and pinch the seals shut. Then wet 1 corner and fold over the wrapper one more time. Press firmly to seal. Make sure to keep both the wonton wrappers and the filled dumplings covered with a towel or plastic wrap while you’re working so they don’t dry out and crack.

Bake in a single layer at 375 for 10-15 mins or just until it begins to turn golden. Set aside.

Yogurt sauce:

1.5L plain yogurt

1.5 tbs cornstarch

2 tsp salt

1 cup cold water

3 tbs olive oil

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbs dried mint

Whisk together plain yogurt, cornstarch, salt and water until smooth, then turn on the heat and whisk continuously until it comes to a boil. Do NOT stop whisking until it comes to a boil or the yogurt will split. Then, lower the heat to low and add the baked dumplings.

Sauté the minced garlic and dried mint in olive oil until slightly browned and fragrant. Add to the yogurt. Add salt to taste. Let it all simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the dumplings are plump. Top with toasted pine nuts or almonds and serve with green onions and enjoy!