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Fatayer (Iraqi Pastry with Spinach-Cheese Filling)

Ingredients

Filling ingredients:

  • 4 lbs fresh spinach
  • 3 to 4 cups grated Mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper

Dough ingredients

  • 5 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 2 tbsp yeast
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • sesame seeds, for optional garnish

Instructions

Filling instructions:

  • 1. Chop the spinach and season it with 1 tbsp salt, and then rub it until the water comes out of it.
  • 2. Put the spinach in a strainer and squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
  • 3. Place the spinach in a large bowl and add the cheese, olive oil and crushed red pepper. Mix well.

Dough instructions:

  • 1. Put 2 cups of flour in a large bowl and mix it with the warm water, yeast and sugar. Leave it to rest for 10 minutes.
  • 2. Then add the rest of the flour to the mixture along with the salt, baking powder and vegetable oil and knead the dough for 10 minutes. Cover the bowl, and leave it to rest for 10 minutes.

Assemble the fatayer:

  • 1. Roll the dough out until it’s about 1/2-inch thick. Cut it into equal squares, approximately 2 x 2 inches.
  • 2. Place about 1 ½ tbsp of filling in the middle of a square. Brush the edges of the square with a little water. Then, take a second square and place it over the first square, pressing on the edges with a fork to seal the squares. You can trim excess dough from the sides if desired.
  • 3. For decoration, you can make two cuts on the top with a knife and sprinkle with some sesame seeds.
  • 4. Grease a baking tray with oil and place the finished pastries about 1 inch apart. Bake in a 400-degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is a nice golden brown.