Saleh’s Plate · By Saleh Alkhalifa

Saudi Arabian Meat Pastries (Fatayer)

Cook Saudi Arabian Meat Pastries (Fatayer) with Saleh’s Plate.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 ½ tsp instant yeast
  • 3 tbsp olive oil, ¾ cup (180ml) warm water

Meat Filling

  • ½ lb (225g) ground beef or lamb
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic and 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin and ½ tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
  • ½ tsp sumac and ½ tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley and ¼ cup pine nuts

Assembly

  • 1 egg (beaten for egg wash)
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add oil, gradually mix in warm water, and knead into a soft dough. Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
  2. Heat oil, sauté onions and garlic until soft. Add ground meat, cook until browned. Stir in spices, pomegranate molasses, parsley, and pine nuts. Let cool.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll dough to ⅛-inch thick, cut into 4-inch circles. Add meat filling, fold into a half-moon, seal edges, then twist the ends and edges inward to create a twisted shape. Place on a baking sheet.
  4. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle sesame seeds (optional), and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.