This Shish Barak comes together in about 45 minutes and is a one-pot wonder for a easy meal that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Trust me, your family will be begging for seconds!
Ingredient Breakdown
Dough
- Flour (2 cups): All-purpose flour works perfectly here. You can also mix in whole wheat for a heartier option if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Water (3/4 cup): Just enough to bind the dough. If you prefer a richer flavor, add a splash of olive oil or even yogurt!
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Just a couple pinches to bring everything together.
Ground Beef Filling
- Ground beef (1 pound): Of course, you can substitute this with any ground meat you love, chicken or lamb work equally great!
- Onion (1 medium, finely chopped): A must for flavor! Go for a yellow onion for sweetness that’ll complement the spices.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Because what’s better than the smell of sautéing garlic wafting through your kitchen? Not much, I tell ya!
- Spices:
- Cumin (1 teaspoon): Adds that warm, earthy note.
- Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): Yes, cinnamon! It’s a classic in Middle Eastern dishes, trust me!
- Salt and pepper: A couple pinches of both, to taste.
Yogurt Sauce
- Yogurt (2 cups): A thick, creamy yogurt is perfect here, Greek yogurt adds extra creaminess, but any plain yogurt will do.
- Water or broth (1 cup): Use chicken or vegetable broth if you’ve got it for more flavor.
- Garlic (1 clove, for topping): Minced or sliced, personal preference!
Optional
- Adha: If you have it, this is an extra garnish, think of it as a personal touch!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the water. Mix until smooth and you’ve got a nice dough. Knead for about 5 minutes, you’re looking for a soft, elastic texture. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest for about 15 minutes.
Cook the Filling: In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, sautéing until they’re translucent, we want sweet, caramelized goodness, which will take about 5 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic for the last minute of cooking until fragrant. Then add the ground beef, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is browned, about 8-10 minutes. Scrape the yummy bits off the bottom for extra flavor!
Form the Dumplings: Roll out your rested dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut into circles, roughly 4-5 inches in diameter. Place a tablespoon of the meat mixture in the center of each circle. Fold over and crimp the edges to seal. Be sure to give ’em a good pinch!
Simmer in Yogurt Sauce: In a large pot, combine yogurt, water (or broth), and a pinch of salt. Heat gently until it starts to simmer. Carefully add your dumplings. Cook until they float to the surface, this typically takes about 10-15 minutes. Pro tip: keep the heat low so the yogurt doesn’t curdle!
Serve: In a small pan, sauté the additional minced garlic in olive oil until golden. Pour this aromatic goodness over the dumplings. If you went for the adha, now’s the time to sprinkle it on top!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need something heartwarming and quick, like on those hectic Wednesday nights after soccer practice. Shish Barak reminds me of family gatherings, and the flavor always hits the spot. I’m a real sucker for meals that not only taste fantastic but also wrap you in coziness, and this one definitely delivers! And the best part is, it’s so versatile! You can use whatever you’ve got on hand, you know, that half-eaten bag of spinach or leftover chicken? Perfect!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Egyptian Hawawshi (Arayes), my Middle Eastern Kebabs, or my Lebanese Fatteh!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This Shish Barak recipe comes together in under 45 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner. No one wants to spend hours in the kitchen after a long day, right?
One Pot
Everything simmers together beautifully, meaning minimal cleanup required! Your pots will thank you for this easy cooking method. This dish also presents beautifully in the pot itself, who doesn’t love a great one-pot meal?
Comfort Food
We all crave comfort food from time to time, and this dish is loaded with tons of flavor that wraps you in warmth and happiness, just like a big hug. It’s honestly the kind of meal that feels like a warm embrace after a long day.
Customizable
You can personalize the filling by adding in veggies or swapping out the protein. Got some leftover veggies in your fridge? Toss them into the filling! This dish beckons creativity, so go wild!
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Shish Barak with a side of warm pita bread or a fresh salad. You can even offer a drizzle of some olive oil or fresh herbs on top for that extra flair!
Storage
Leftovers should keep well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. Don’t worry, the flavors only get better after a day in the fridge.
Reheating Instructions
The best way to reheat is to gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the yogurt sauce a bit. Microwaving is an option, but it can separate the yogurt, so just be careful!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze Shish Barak for up to 3 months. Just freeze before simmering them in yogurt; pop them in a freezer bag with some parchment in between layers so they don’t stick. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them in the fridge overnight and follow the simmering instructions when you’re ready for a dreamy meal.
Shish Barak brings joy not just in the cooking but in sharing those moments with your family. As you prepare this meal, imagine laughter and stories shared around the table, comfy and cozy on a chilly night. You’ll be glad you made this dish a regular in your home! Enjoy every flavorful bite! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
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Shish Barak
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Beef, Comfort Food
Description
A quick and easy one-pot meal perfect for busy family nights, featuring delicious dumplings filled with ground beef and served in yogurt sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups yogurt
- 1 cup water or broth
- 1 clove garlic, minced or sliced (for topping)
- Adha (optional garnish)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Gradually add water, mixing until smooth. Knead for about 5 minutes until you have a soft dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic for the last minute. Add ground beef, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- Roll out the rested dough on a floured surface, cut into 4-5 inch circles. Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each, fold over, and crimp edges to seal.
- In a large pot, combine yogurt, water (or broth), and salt. Heat until simmering. Carefully add dumplings and cook until they float, about 10-15 minutes.
- Sauté additional minced garlic in oil until golden, then pour over the dumplings. Sprinkle with adha if using.
Notes
Serve with warm pita bread or a fresh salad. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
