Name: Mutabbaq
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Saudi Arabia
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup warm water and 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tbsp oil plus extra for cooking; 8 oz ground beef or lamb; 1 onion, finely chopped; 1 tsp cumin and 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 eggs; 1/4 cup chopped scallions and parsley; 1 tsp salt for the filling

Where it comes from

Mutabbaq is a popular street food of the Hejaz in Saudi Arabia and of Yemen, and a similar folded pan-fried bread is eaten in Southeast Asia as murtabak. The name comes from an Arabic word meaning folded, describing the layered pastry.

Explore the cuisine of Saudi Arabia, Yemen.

Recipe

Make Mutabbaq at home

Serves 4Time 1 hour

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup warm water and 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp oil plus extra for cooking
8 oz ground beef or lamb
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tsp cumin and 1/2 tsp black pepper
2 eggs
1/4 cup chopped scallions and parsley
1 tsp salt for the filling

How it's made

Mix flour, salt, water and oil into a soft dough and rest it, covered, for 30 minutes.
Brown the meat with the onion, cumin, pepper and salt, then cool slightly.
Beat the eggs with the herbs and stir in the cooled meat.
Divide the dough into 4 balls and stretch each on an oiled surface into a very thin large square.
Spoon a quarter of the filling in the middle and fold the edges over to form a sealed square parcel.
Cook on a lightly oiled griddle over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and the egg is set.
Cut into squares and serve with lemon wedges or a tangy tomato dip.