Breads & Pastries
Craving fresh pastries but don't have hours to wait for dough to rise? This Quick Turkish Cheese Poğaça is the answer. Unlike traditional yeast-based recipes, this version uses baking powder and yogurt to create a tender, buttery dough in a fraction of the time. Known as 'Emergency Poğaça' in Turkey, these savory treats are filled with tangy feta and herbs, offering a texture that is delightfully crumbly—somewhere between a soft roll and a savory scone.
Ingredients :
- 1 cup plain yogurt (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup melted butter (unsalted)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (sunflower)
- 1 packet baking powder (10g or 2.5 tsp)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 3.5 - 4 cups all-purpose flour (add gradually)
- FOR THE FILLING:
- 1 small bowl crumbled Feta cheese (or curd cheese/lor)
- 1/4 bunch fresh parsley and dill, finely chopped
- TOPPING:
- 1 egg yolk
- Nigella seeds or sesame seeds
Preparation :
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, melted butter, vegetable oil, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Sift in 3 cups of flour, the baking powder, and baking soda. Start kneading gently.
- Gradually add the remaining flour as needed. Knead until you get a soft, pliable, and non-sticky dough (known as 'earlobe consistency' in Turkish cuisine). Do not over-knead to keep it crumbly.
- Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. This makes shaping easier.
- Meanwhile, prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix the crumbled feta cheese with the chopped parsley and dill.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Tear off walnut-sized pieces from the dough and roll them into balls.
- Flatten each ball in your palm, place a teaspoon of the cheese mixture in the center, and fold it over to form a half-moon (D-shape) or round ball. Seal the edges well.
- Arrange the pastries on the baking tray.
- Brush the tops with the egg yolk and sprinkle with nigella seeds or sesame seeds.
- Bake for about 30 minutes until they are deep golden brown.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with tea.