Pogaça: A Turkish Pastry

Ingredients 0/18

Step 1

Stir the yeast and sugar into warm milk in a bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast gets soft and foamy. In a stand mixer bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, the whole wheat flour, half a cup of water, vegetable oil, salt, and the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook, knead everything together until the dough feels soft and a bit stretchy but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour; if it’s too stiff, add a splash of warm water. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rest at room temperature for about 45 to 50 minutes until it puffs up.

Step 2

While the dough is rising, mix the feta cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, and chili powder in a bowl until well combined. Once the dough has risen, give it a quick knead for a couple of minutes. Divide it into 12 even pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Flatten each ball into a circle about 2 to 3 inches wide, either with your hands or a rolling pin. Spoon some of the cheese filling into the center of each circle, then gather the edges up and pinch them together to seal, creating little bundles. Place these bundles seam-side down on a buttered baking tray. Brush the tops with milk and sprinkle some poppy seeds over them.

Step 3

Pop the tray into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) on the top rack. Bake for about 30 to 32 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden color. Let them cool a bit before enjoying!