Turkish Gözleme (Spinach and Feta Stuffed Flatbread)

Gozleme (written "Gozleme", in Turkish) are crispy flatbreads that can be made quickly and easily from a dough. They're stuffed with savory fillings and served hot. This recipe, stuffed with spinach and feta, is perfect for picnics or packed lunches.

Gozleme was my childhood favorite snack and a popular street food in Turkey. My mother used to prepare these crispy flatbreads to pack in our school lunches. This popular snack is similar in shape to other flatbreads such as lahmacun or pide. However, the dough is stuffed with a filling and then rolled into a half-moon.

Gozleme, on the other hand, is a sealed round the edge. This is different from lahmacun, which is served with the face open, or pide, which is only pinched at the top. In this recipe for gozleme, I used a filling made of spinach, onion, and feta, seasoned with red pepper flakes and salt, and a touch of Aleppo.

Gozleme can be found in cafes, street vendors and farmers markets all over Turkey. The traditional way to cook them is on a round griddle. This is a thin, wide pan, similar to the Mexican comal.

It's easy to make authentic gozleme at home using a non-stick pan. Serve with a cup c Ay- the Turkish word for tea.

The Origins of Gozleme

These stuffed flatbreads date back to thousands of years. Turkish Yoruks, or nomadic Turks, were making gozleme when they migrated from Central Asia to Anatolia in today's Turkey.

The word g is believed to come from the Turkish word "kozleme," which means "cook over the embers," because the yoruks cooked the flatbreads on embers.

Gozleme is enjoyed in Turkey today. You may be able to see women in the street markets rolling out the gozleme into thin, round sheets and then cooking them on a large griddle.

Gozleme Ingredients

The dough can be made either with unleavened dough, like I do here, or with yeast-leavened. The unleavened, simple dough is my favorite. It only contains a few ingredients. Rest the dough for at least 20 minutes. This will relax the gluten and make it easier to roll out into thin sheets. You'll need the following to make gozleme:

• All purpose flour: The flour of choice for the Turkish gozleme, although you can also experiment with whole-wheat flour. To ensure a smooth dough, please sift the flour before adding other ingredients.
• Extra virgin Olive Oil: The cooking oil I choose most often, as it reflects the healthy Mediterranean diet of Turkish cuisine. Olive oil makes the dough soft. Our essential guide will teach you how to cook with oil, as well as how to choose high-quality olive oil. You can also find the best Mediterranean olive oil at our online shop.
• Baby Spinach:Gives the filling a fresh taste and is an excellent accompaniment to feta.
• Feta - Look for high-quality sheep's milk cheese feta in brine.
• Onion - Any color is acceptable, but a yellow onion is the most common.
• Seasoning Aleppo Pepper gives the filling mild heat. You can buy it in select grocery stores or online from our shop. Red pepper flakes are also a good substitute. Both the filling as well as the dough are enhanced by freshly ground black and salt.

How To Make Gozleme

Let it rest, and then roll it thin. You're only cooking the dough briefly in a pan, so it's important to keep it thin. Once you've got the hang of things, it will go pretty quickly.

Prepare yourself

• Mix the ingredients. Sift 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour using a fine mesh Sieve or Flour Sifter into a large mixing Bowl. In the middle, make a small well and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Add 1 cup of warm water and 3 teaspoons of olive oils to the well. With clean hands, start mixing the flour with the oil and water until you get a rough paste. You may feel like the dough is not coming together at first, but continue to work until you get a shaggy texture.
• Kneading the dough Dust your counter with flour. Turn out the dough onto the floured area and knead it with your hands for 2 to 3 mins until you have a semi-firm, smooth dough ball. Place the dough into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Cover with a damp, clean towel. Rest the dough for 20 minutes. The gluten will rest and make the dough easier to handle.
• Filling: Make it. Place 4 cups of baby leaves in a large mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped. Add salt and black pepper to taste (keep in mind that you will add feta, which is very salty). Add 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo Pepper.
• Massage the filling. Combine everything with clean hands. Massage the seasoning into vegetables to soften them and give them flavor. Add one cup of crumbled feta, and mix again. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Cover and set aside.

Shape the Gozleme

• Form the dough. After the dough has rested for a few minutes, sprinkle some flour on a dry, clean surface. Divide the dough into six equal pieces using a large chef's blade or a bench scraper. Roll each ball of dough and place it back in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a wet towel to keep it moist.
• Roll out the dough. Place one dough ball at a time on a lightly-floured surface. Roll the dough into a thin circle. It should be about 10 12 inches in diameter. It might seem like the dough has risen a bit, but continue rolling: A thin crust is essential for the gozleme in the skillet to cook properly.
• Fill the gozleme. Spread a little over 1/2 cup of filling evenly on one half of the circular shape, leaving about 0.8 inches around the edge.
• Sealing the gozleme. Folding the empty side of the filling over to form a half moon shape. Gently press the top of the gozleme to remove any air. Then, using your thumbs, push down around the edges in order to create a seal.
• Repeat. Put the finished gozleme onto a sheet tray, without touching. Cover them with a towel to prevent drying. Continue with the remaining dough balls. Cover the gozleme covered .

Gozleme is a delicious dish that you can cook.

• Cooking the gozleme. Heat up a large, non-stick skillet (approximately 11 inches in diameter). Place one gozleme in the dry pan and cook it for 1 minute. Flip the gozleme carefully over and cook for another minute. Flip over again and cook about 45-50 seconds (light brown circles will begin to appear). Cook for 45 seconds after flipping the gozleme. The gozleme should be a light brown color with visible spots.
• Cover the pan as you finish. Place the gozleme cooked on a tray, and brush with olive oil both sides. Cover the gozleme with a towel to keep them moist while you continue cooking .
• Serve. Serve it warm or room temperature with a salad or on its own. Afiyet olsun is Turkish for "May you enjoy and be healthy while eating this food."

Popular Fillings: Mix and Match

Gozleme is flexible and accommodating - you can use whatever herbs and vegetables are available for the filling. In Turkey, we use different fillings depending on the region. In the Aegean, you may find different fillings with fresh herbs or meat in Anatolia. Here are my favorite gozleme fillings.

Mashed Potato with Caramelized Onion

• Add salt and pepper to the potatoes. Add 3 cups of mashed potato and 1 teaspoon cumin. In a large mixing bowl, add salt and black pepper according to your taste.
• Caramelize onions. On a large sautepan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Stir in one thinly sliced red onion, and cook for 10-12 minutes. The onions will begin to caramelize and soften, turning golden.
• Mix and adjust according to your taste. Remove the potatoes from the heat and add the onions. When the onions have cooled enough to handle, add 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley along with 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo Pepper. Mix everything together using your hands. Add more spices or salt to taste. Use the stuffing as a gozleme. Cover and let it cool completely.

Filling Variations

• Sauteed onions with ground meat
• Parsley and crumbled feta
• Spinach, onion, and mushroom
• Peppers, chard/spinach and onions sauteed with the option of adding olives or crumbled Feta.

Gozleme Tips

What are your tips for the best gozleme?

• Make use of the ingredients that you already have. Make gozleme to make delicious snacks with ingredients you have on hand. These flatbreads are a great way to use up any herbs, vegetables or cheeses that you may have.
• Rest the dough. Make sure to rest your dough for 20 minutes. This will relax the gluten and make it easier to roll.
• Use a large, non-stick pan. A wide non-stick pan will work well, even though gozleme was originally cooked on a round, wide griddle.
• Let the filling cool. Allow the filling to cool down.
• Do not overfill the cavity. The filling may ooze out. Avoid overfilling the gozlemeem> /em>well as it may cause the filling to ooze out. Once you have pressed the edges down to seal the gozleme well gently pat the top of the well to remove any air bubbles.
• Avoid the dough drying out. After placing the gozleme on a clean tray and brushing it with olive oil, cover the tray with a towel to prevent the dough from drying.

Enjoy making these tasty flatbreads. Let everyone have a try and involve them in the process. They will enjoy making their own g flatbreads.

How To Store, Freeze and Reheat Gozleme

It is easy to prepare Gozleme . The filling can be made a day in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator. Gozleme can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator once it has been cooked and cooled. Reheat in a nonstick pan on medium or high heat for 1 1/2 minutes per side. I would not recommend freezing them as they may become soggy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lose weight on the Mediterranean diet?

Yes, it is possible to lose weight while following the Mediterranean Diet. Because the diet focuses on whole foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and olive oil, it can reduce calories and provide vital nutrients for your overall health and well-being. Incorporating exercise into your diet can help to lose excess calories and aid in weight loss. When paired with the right mindset and attitude, eating less processed food, less red meat, and less added sugars can help to maintain a healthy weight.

Is the Mediterranean diet predominantly plant-based

Yes, the Mediterranean Diet relies mainly on plants. This ancient diet is primarily based on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, legumes (nuts), and seeds. Due to their history around the Mediterranean Sea, however, some animal proteins like red meat, poultry, and fish are not as prevalent in this ancient diet. You can choose to avoid these protein sources if you are a vegetarian/vegan. For additional nutrition and protein, you can also consider other dairy sources like tofu or soy yogurt.

Is regular olive oil okay to be used in place of extra virgin?

You can choose regular olive oil over extra virgin olive if you follow the Mediterranean diet. Regular olive oil can still be used, even though Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), is more desirable for its superior quality and nutritional benefits. However, it is still possible to use regular olive oil due to its mild flavor. Regular olive oils are great for everyday meals like roasting vegetables or making stir-fry dishes. This olive oil has a lower price than EVOO. However, some believe that it is better suited for higher heat applications like deep frying. But, it doesn't have the same nutrients or positive compound as EVOO. You should make up these benefits by eating other foods whenever you can.

Statistics

• 1g sugar Benefits Rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, these nuts may also favourably impact your gut microbiome (and thus improve digestive health) and lower LDL cholesterol, according to a small study that included 18 healthy adults. (everydayhealth.com)
• Benefits of Replacing foods high in saturated fats (like butter) with plant sources high in monounsaturated fatty acids, like olive oil, may help lower the risk of heart disease by 19 percent, according to research. (everydayhealth.com)
• The research suggested that the diet reduced the risk of cardiovascular issues, including stroke, heart attack, and death, by about 30 percent compared with the control group. (medicalnewstoday.com)
• The Mediterranean Diet group had a 30% lower relative risk of cardiovascular events compared to the low-fat diet group. (my.clevelandclinic.org)

External Links

[TAG55]

• Mediterranean Diet Beginner's Guide: Ranked #1 Best Diet in 2023 | U.S. News


• The Best Diets in 2023 – Expertly Reviewed by US News Health

[TAG58]

• Traditional Med Diet | Oldways


• Mediterranean Diet | Oldways

[TAG61]

• The Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet - PubMed


• PubMed: Cardiovascular Health and the Mediterranean Diet - PubMed

[TAG64]

• Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet

How To

How Can the Mediterranean Diet Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke?

Healthy fats and whole grains are all part of the Mediterranean eating plan. There are many potential health benefits associated with this diet, including improved blood lipids, glucose control, reduced risk of depression and certain kinds of cancer, better weight management, improved cardiac health, enhanced cognitive functions, and better cardiovascular health. Additionally, research indicates that following this dietary pattern could reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

It is possible to incorporate Mediterranean-inspired foods into your daily diet by swapping high-calorie snacks like chips for nutrient-dense vegetable appetizers or other traditional greens or beans dishes. In order to enhance your hunger relief, it is important to learn how you can increase the variety of your diet. For added nutrition, dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, or milk should be consumed in moderate quantities throughout the day. To enhance the Mediterranean experience, olive oils should be used instead of other cooking fats.

If combined with regular physical activity at a moderate level, one can see even greater improvements in short term results and long term positive effects on body composition and overall health. The Mediterranean diet encourages eating well and maintains a healthy nutritional balance. This can help to reduce one's chances of suffering from stroke or heart disease.

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