Feteer with Egyptian Sausage
A popular Egyptian savory breakfast or snack, this Feteer features incredibly thin, flaky layers of dough generously filled with spiced Egyptian sausage and cheese, baked until golden and crispy.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Feteer dough(Can be store-bought or homemade. If homemade, ensure it has rested sufficiently.)
- 300 g Egyptian sausage (Sogok)(This is a raw, spiced sausage. It needs to be cooked before adding to the feteer. If using pre-cooked sausage, adjust cooking time accordingly.)
- 200 g Assorted cheese(A mix of mozzarella and feta, or a local Egyptian cheese blend, works well. Grated or crumbled.)
- 100 g Ghee (or clarified butter)(Melted, for brushing layers and cooking sausage.)
- 2 Eggs(For brushing the top layer for a golden finish.)
- 1/2 medium Optional: Onion(Finely chopped, to sauté with the sausage.)
- to taste Optional: Spices(Such as cumin, coriander, or chili flakes, if the sausage is not sufficiently spiced.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the filling: If using raw Egyptian sausage, remove the casings and crumble the meat. Sauté the sausage in a pan with a tablespoon of ghee over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through. If using optional onion, sauté it until softened before adding the sausage. Drain any excess fat and set aside. If the sausage is already cooked, simply chop it and set aside.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes - 2
Prepare the dough: If your feteer dough requires resting, ensure it has completed its resting period (typically 30 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature). Divide the dough into portions suitable for individual feteer or one large feteer, depending on preference.
⏱️ 5 minutes (plus resting time if applicable) - 3
Assemble the feteer: Lightly flour your work surface. Take one portion of dough and begin stretching it as thinly as possible. Aim for transparency, like a thin veil. Use your knuckles or fingertips to gently pull and stretch the dough outwards. Brush the stretched dough generously with melted ghee.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes - 4
Layer and fill: Fold the ghee-brushed dough in half, then in half again, creating a square or rectangular shape. Alternatively, you can fold the edges towards the center to create a more rustic, layered effect. Spread a portion of the cooked sausage and cheese mixture evenly over one half of the dough. Fold the other half over to enclose the filling.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Carefully transfer the filled feteer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the top of the feteer with beaten eggs and a little more melted ghee for a golden, crispy finish.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the feteer is puffed up, golden brown, and crispy on all sides. The internal temperature should reach a safe level if using raw sausage initially.
⏱️ 25-30 minutes - 7
Serve: Let the feteer cool slightly for a few minutes before slicing and serving hot. Enjoy the flaky layers and savory filling.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to feteer is stretching the dough as thin as possible. Don't be afraid to work it gently.
- ✓Generous use of ghee between layers is crucial for flakiness and flavor.
- ✓Egyptian sausage (Sogok) has a distinct spice profile; ensure it's cooked thoroughly before adding to the feteer.
- ✓For a crispier crust, you can brush the feteer with a mixture of egg yolk and milk before baking.
🔄 Variations
- Add other cooked meats like pastrami or minced beef.
- Incorporate sautéed vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Add a layer of béchamel sauce for a creamier texture.
- A sweet version can be made with nuts, raisins, and a drizzle of honey or sugar syrup.