Golden, flaky puff pastry replaces the traditional dough in this shortcut version of Shish Barak, offering a buttery, crisp shell that holds a spiced minced meat filling. The contrast between the tender, savory meat, toasted pine nuts, and the tartness of pomegranate molasses creates a balanced bite that feels familiar yet surprisingly easy to pull together for a weekday dinner.
Once the dumplings are filled and folded, they are simmered in a silky, garlic-infused goat yogurt sauce. The process of frying coriander and fresh garlic in ghee just before serving adds an essential aromatic depth, cutting through the creaminess of the yogurt with a sharp, herbal finish.
This hearty meal works well served over a bed of warm rice or a side of mujadara. It is a satisfying way to enjoy classic Middle Eastern dumpling flavors without the time-consuming labor of making a traditional dough from scratch, making it an ideal choice for those craving a comforting, home-cooked meal.
Read Full StoryUsing store-bought dough is a clever way to streamline labor-intensive classics like Shish Barak. If you enjoy the versatility of ready-made pastry, try crafting an easy artichoke tart for a quick appetizer, or keep things sweet by preparing a pastry-based Nutella snowflake to end your meal on a festive note.
Key Ingredients
- Puff pastry: Used as the dough base to encase the savory meat filling into dumpling shapes.
- Minced meat: Forms the protein-rich savory center of the shish barak dumplings.
- Pomegranate molasses: Provides a signature tangy depth to the seasoned meat filling.
- Goats yogurt: Acts as the creamy, slightly sour base for the cooking sauce.
- Seven spice: Adds a distinct blend of warming Middle Eastern aromatics to the meat.
- Garlic: Sautéed with ghee and coriander to infuse the yogurt sauce with pungent aroma.
- Coriander: Provides fresh herbal notes when fried and stirred into the yogurt sauce.
- Pine nuts: Added to the meat mixture to provide a subtle crunch and nutty texture.
More Shortcut Pastry Creations
- For another convenient take on folded dough, try these samosas using spring roll pastry, which offer a satisfying crunch without the hassle of making traditional wrappers from scratch.
- If you have extra puff pastry on hand, this Armenian Gata with puff pastry is a wonderful way to enjoy a buttery, elevated spin on a heritage dessert.
- For a savory snack that mimics the ease of this dumpling recipe, these spicy mushroom cheese tarts use the same golden, flakey dough to create a robust, flavorful bite.
Shish Barak Using Puff Pastry
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Curated by Aprilia Wanson in Austin, TX — I research and organize easy recipes so you can cook with what you have. More about how I create content →