Fatayer

 Fatayer (or fitiir) is a traditional Lebanese mezze that consists of a spinach stuffed turnover, also popular in Turkey and Middle Eastern countries.

Ingredients

For the filling

• 2 lb spinach , chopped, washed and drained
• 2 onions , cut into small cubes
• 5 tablespoons olive oil (or sunflower oil)
• 3 lemons , freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses

For the dough

• 3 cups flour
• ½ cup sunflower oil (or olive oil)
• ⅓ cup fine semolina
• 3 tablespoons milk powder
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ cup warm water (more or less)

Equipment

• Stand mixer

Instructions

Filling

• The day before, mix all the filling ingredients in a frying pan over a high heat.
• Brown, stirring regularly, for 10 minutes.
• Cool and reserve in the refrigerator.
• The next day, mix this stuffing well and add into a colander.

Dough

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour, semolina, salt, sugar, milk powder and mix well.
• Dig a well in the center and add in the yeast.
• Add the oil, and the white vinegar and, while adding the water gradually, knead until obtaining a smooth dough that separates from the sides of the bowl and can be collected as a ball around the dough hook.
• Place the dough in a bowl, coat with a little oil on the surface, cover it with a cloth and let it sit for one hour at room temperature.
• Roll the dough into a large disc and cut into small circles 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter.
• Drop 1 tablespoon of spinach stuffing in the center of each circle.
• Lift the 3 ends and fold them inwards so as to completely enclose the stuffing and form a triangle and then pinch the edges to seal them well.
• Arrange the fatayer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 F (180°C) until the base is fully baked and the surface is lightly browned.