farawayvillage
Traditional Azerbaijani Rustic Pies with Wild Nettle and Savory Fillings
These stone-baked rustic pies offer a hearty taste of the mountains, featuring a signature blend of hand-harvested wild nettles, spiced savory meat, and fresh garden vegetables nestled in a rich, buttery dough.
👤 Faraway Village📖 farawayvillage
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- ●bowl
- ●pan
- ●baking sheet
- ●oven
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Prepare the Wild Nettles: Using gloves, wash the nettles thoroughly. Blanch them in boiling water for ⏱️ 2-3 minutes to remove the sting, then immediately shock in ice water. Drain very well, squeeze out all excess moisture, and mash or finely chop them into a paste.
2
Make the Dough: In a large bowl, sift the flour and create a well. Add the eggs, melted ghee, yogurt, salt, and yeast. Gradually pour in warm water while mixing by hand. Knead for about ⏱️ 10-15 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for ⏱️ 60-90 minutes until doubled in size.
3
Prepare the Meat Filling: In a large pan over medium heat, melt the ghee. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Add the fine minced meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Season with salt, pepper, turmeric, and paprika. Stir in fresh herbs at the end and let cool.
4
Prepare the Vegetable Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the finely diced raw potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Note: Ensure the vegetables are diced very small so they cook evenly with the dough.
5
Assemble the Pies: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 6-8 equal portions. Roll each portion out into a thin circle (about 5-7 mm thick).
6
Fill the Pies: For the Nettle Pie: Spread the nettle paste onto the dough circle, top with a whisked egg and grated cheese.
7
For the Meat Pie: Spread a generous layer of the cooked meat mixture and top with a little extra cheese if desired.
8
For the Vegetable Pie: Spread the raw vegetable mixture evenly and top with a heavy layer of grated cheese to bind the ingredients.
9
Bake: Preheat your oven (or traditional stone oven) to 220°C. Place the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for ⏱️ 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
10
Serve: Allow the pies to rest for ⏱️ 5 minutes. Brush the crusts with a little melted butter for extra softness. Slice and serve warm with a side of fresh yogurt or hot tea.
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