Like talami dough, the dough for fatayar is different than standard bread dough. This dough is not nearly as wet as talami dough, but it is a sticky dough that takes just one rise (typically bread-baking is a two-rise process).
The sticky factor is key in encouraging the little bundles, which are pinched closed, to keep from opening up.
I’m diverging in technique here from what I learned growing up and from what is still done by many a Lebanese cook. They make little balls out of the risen dough and then roll out each of those to form the round that will be stuffed with spinach. It’s difficult, though, to get the dough thin enough and sticky enough this way.
Instead, we’re going to roll out the dough and cut out circles using a 4” round cutter. I use the top of a canister because of all of the round cutters I have, none are the right size. To roll the dough, use a dry work surface. There is no flour used in the rolling process. With a heavy rolling pin, roll the dough out away from and toward you a few times. Then lift the dough gently off the counter (it’s very droopy) and turn it 45 degrees. Again roll away from and toward you, working the dough out as thin as possible, less than 1/8”.
To prevent the dough from shrinking after it’s been cut, lift the dough gently off the work surface and lay it back down, in sections because it would be difficult to lift the whole sheet up at once. Then cut out as many circles as possible. Combine the scraps, knead them together, wrap with plastic and set aside to rest until you are ready to roll again.
Now your dough is ready to stuff and close. I wish I could say the rest of it is easy like a Sunday morning, but I gotta tell you, I’ve been a fatayar-making machine trying to find the simplest, most successful method with a delicious result for all of us, and in the process I discovered swear words I didn’t know I had in me. Tune in tomorrow for more.
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excellent description & ideas!!! thanks again!
Thanks Jody!!
I don’t know what they’re called, but do you do the spinach pies with phyllo?
I call that Greek! Spanikopita…I’ve done that in a sheet pan rather than as individual pies. Do you make the pies with phyllo?
Yes, I cut the phyllo into strips, (after buttering 5 or six lalyers) put the filling at one end, then fold a corner to a long end then flip the triangle over—basically fold it like a flag. They come out in folded triangles.
I’ve done your method also. Grandma didn’t have phyllo available so she made them like you. Maybe you’re right, I may have learned a Greek later in life. But once one learns the folding the same trick can be used with lots of fillings. Pie filling of all kinds, cheese, cream cheese “dips” type fillings, various meat fillings…..Basically anything the imagination can land on.
Great for parties.
Ah yes, I’ve made those with a delicious cheese filling. I’m sure the fatayar filling would be great in those as well!
Maureen,
My dear, sweet mother used this same technique to make fatayer rounds–she would roll the sheet, and then cut the rounds using a water glass or a jar–I can’t remember–but it was one special glass that was just the right size! You bring back so many loving memories of my special childhood with her! Thank you, and,
blessings, dear Cousin!
It’s great to hear that your mother cut out rounds too!
Hello Maureen
I cant wait to see the exquisite fatayers; just want to point out that I have made mine without yeast in the dough, following a family recipe, and they work out great.
Joumana, your dough sounds really interesting–I’d love to try it sometime!!