Pogaca Recipe (Turkish Stuffed Pastries)
Pogaca is a traditional Turkish pastry that is soft, fluffy, and filled with delicious ingredients like feta cheese and herbs or olives. This easy-to-make recipe combines simple ingredients, including flour, yeast, warm milk, and water, to create a tender dough. Perfect as a snack or breakfast, Pogaca is a versatile treat that's sure to please. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk warm
- ½ cup water warm
- 1 egg white
- 2½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1½ tsp sugar
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Fillings
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup black olives such as kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate for sweet pogaca
Topping
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds optional
- 1 tbsp nigella seeds optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix the milk, water and egg white. Add in the flour, instant yeast, sugar and salt. Using a wooden spoon, mix until the dough comes together.
- transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until you have a soft dough that would bounce back if you poke it.
- Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Let it sit in a draft free space for 1 hour and 30 minutes until it doubles in size.
- After the rising time, deflate the dough and transfer it onto a floured surface. divide the dough into 12 pieces.
- To make the fillings: Mix the feta and parsley and set it aside. Cut the olive into halves or rings if preferred. Chop up the chocolate into smaller chunks if making chocolate pogacas as well.
- Place a piece of dough on the floured surface. Gently flatten it using your hands or a rolling pin. Add some of the filling (cheese, olives or chocolate) on the dough. fold the dough into a half moon and seal the edges. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces and fillings.
- Place the prepared pogaca pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a towel and let it sit for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- After 20 minutes and when the oven is ready, mix the egg yolk with the olive oil and brush the pastries with this mixture. Top with sesame seeds and nigella seeds if desired.
- Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until both the top and bottom of the pastries are golden. Once out of the oven, cover them with a towel, the steam would keep the pogacas soft. Let them cool for 5 minutes and then serve.
Video
Notes
Milk: You can use whole milk or low fat, as well as plant based milk for this recipe.
Dough Resting Time: Allowing the dough to rise fully is crucial for achieving a light and fluffy texture. If possible, let it rest in a warm spot for 1-2 hours for the best results.
Herb Additions: Adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley to the dough or filling can enhance the flavor and add a unique twist to the traditional recipe.
Filling Versatility: While feta and olives are classic fillings, you can experiment with other ingredients like ground beef, or even mashed potatoes for a heartier version.
Nutrition
Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 143IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg