Mutabbaq (Savory Spinach Pocket)
Mutabbaq is a savory Palestinian pastry consisting of a thin, crispy dough encasing a spiced spinach and onion filling. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack or a light meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/2 tbsp Corn starch
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 cup Neutral oil (for frying/baking)
- 1 cup Warm water(approximate, add as needed)
- 500 g Spinach(fresh or frozen, chopped and excess water squeezed out)
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp Sumac
- 1/2 tsp Salt(for filling)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine flour, corn starch, sugar, and salt. Add olive oil and gradually add warm water while mixing until a soft, firm dough forms. Knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 2
Cover the dough and let it rest for 1 hour.
- 3
Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Place them in a bowl with neutral oil to rest.
- 4
Prepare the filling: In a bowl, combine the chopped spinach, finely chopped onion, sumac, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix well, squeezing the spinach to help it wilt and combine.
- 5
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- 6
On an oiled surface, take one piece of dough and stretch it with your fingertips until it's very thin and almost transparent. You can use more oil for stretching.
- 7
Place a portion of the spinach filling on one half of the stretched dough, leaving a border.
- 8
Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a pocket. Trim any excess dough and seal the edges.
- 9
Place the folded mutabbaq on an oiled baking sheet. Brush the top with oil.
- 10
Bake on the bottom rack for 8-12 minutes until golden. Then, move to the top rack and broil for 3 minutes until crisp and golden brown.
- 11
Serve warm.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to good mutabbaq is stretching the dough very thin.
- ✓Don't overfill the pockets to prevent them from breaking.
- ✓Adjust baking time based on your oven for optimal crispiness.
🔄 Variations
- A sweet version can be made with walnuts, cinnamon, and sugar, then drizzled with syrup.
- Some savory versions include minced meat or cheese.
- Fresh za'atar can be used as an alternative or addition to spinach.