Turkish Meat Pie

Do you have a specific food you tie with a specific person ? I do ! Lots of them. Today it is a Turkish meat pie. This meat pie recipe has travelled around the world. It originated from my best childhood friend Kerem Can's late grandma in Bodrum, Turkey. Every time I went over to his house, Grandma Can would always have this ready for me with some Mediterranean salad and a slice of Turkish pide bread, called Fladenbrot in German. As I grew older, I have learned how to perfect this simple but super delightful dish. I would always reach for the phone and call Kerem to catch up on some lost time with him every single time and vice verse - no matter which part of the world we are living on. We always choose to make the meat pie recipe when we get a chance to cook together as it shares such wonderful and meaningful memory. We have made this dish together in places such as Berlin/Germany, Bodrum/Turkey, Oxford/England, Paris/France and Ibiza/Spain.

Kerem and I share a very deep friendship that goes back a long long time. We both know each other since we have been sitting next to each other in pre school at an age of 4. Both of us don't have any siblings, so we would always look out for each other. Think of it, do you have any friends you have known for such a long time other than your siblings ? We were classmates until grade 13, inseparable best friends and he is the baptism father for my boys. Believe it or not, yes - you can be very good friends with the opposite sex.

Today I found out that Kerem is going to be a father for the very first time in September. I was sooo thrilled to hear about such good news. And guess what he is having for dinner tonight ? Our meat pie !!!! It goes quite well on its own or as a side for the soups. I paired it today with fresh creamy tomato soup, which I will share with you later.

Turkish Meat Pie, adapted by Grandma Can

You can use any meat of your choice BUT ground meat. In this particular pie, ground meat is just not going to taste right. I used my favorite for the meat pie - lamb. As always, I am happy that I did so :) Along with potatoes and onions - sometimes carrots, this makes a perfect dish you can indulge yourself in. It may not be chocolate, but it won't take you long to realize that you are addicted to it after your first try (at least I hope so)!

Ingredients for the crust:
◦1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
◦1 cup sour cream
◦1 egg
◦1/4 tsp baking soda
◦1/4 tsp salt
◦2 1/2 cups flour (or less)

Ingredients for the filling:
◦1 lb lamb meat
◦2 medium onions
◦2 medium potatoes
◦1 tsp salt
◦1/2 ground black pepper
◦1/2 ground cumin
◦1 egg

Step 1:
In a medium bowl mix melted butter, sour cream, 1 egg, baking powder and salt.

Step 2:
If your sour cream is on the thick side, add the first 2 cups of flour and see if you can knead a very soft dough, which will not stick to your hands or to the walls of the bowl. If that doesn't seem to be enough, add the remaining flour and keep on kneading. Once done kneading, divide the dough into two portions. One portion should be slightly smaller than the other one. Ultimately, bigger portion goes on the bottom of the pie and the smaller one is going to cover the top of the pie. Wrap them with a plastic wrap and set aside to rest.

Step 3:
Preheat the oven at 375F. Thinly chop up the onions. Cut the meat into tiny cubes and cut the potatoes into small cubes, too. Place these 3 ingredients in a medium bowl, add the spices and mix well. Set aside.

Step 4:
Take out the bigger dough ball and roll it into a 12-15 inch circle. Carefully place the dough on top of the baking sheet. I usually roll the dough around the rolling pin and carefully unroll the dough over the baking sheet. The dough is very soft but it should not be a big hassle to work with.

Step 5:
Place the filling evenly on top of the flat dough leaving 2 inches of space on all sides. Following the same steps, roll the second dough, making it slightly smaller than the previous one. Cover the top of the meat mixture with the second dough and seal the edges nicely.

Step 6:
Mix the egg with a little bit of water and brush the top of the pie with it. Make small cuts on top of the dough to help the heat escape. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake until the pie turns golden brown.

Step 7:
Cut & Serve.

Afiyet olsun! (Bon appetit in Turkish)