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Mantu Recipe

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Soak split peas2 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Afghan

Ingredients

  • 2 Onions medium
  • 1 pound Ground Beef/Lamb
  • 1 tsp Garlic
  • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder (freshly ground)

Topping

  • ½ cup Split pea
  • ½ pound Ground Beef/Lamb
  • 1 Onion finely chopped - medium-size
  • ½ tsp Garlic
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder freshly ground
  • 2 tsp Tomato Paste
  • 30 ml Cooking Oil

Yogurt Dip

  • 1 tsp Dried Mint Leaves
  • ½ tsp Garlic
  • 1 cup Plain Yogurt
  • ½ tsp Salt

Instructions

Filling for Mantu

  • Chopping onions into small pieces and heat them in a pan.
  • Add ground beef to the onion to the pan.
  • Combine garlic and coriander, seasoning with salt and other additives, then add them to the meat and blend them.
  • Pour water into the pan and allow the meat to be cooked until it is half-done, which should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Topping Sauce Preparation Method

  • Soak split peas in water for 2-3 hours or leave them to soak overnight.
  • Warm oil in a frying pan, then sauté onion and garlic until their color turns golden.
  • Incorporate tomato and tomato paste into the pan. Add the soaked split peas and ¾ cup of water, then cook them for 30-45 minutes until they become tender.
  • After seasoning the sauce with salt and pepper, it is done.

Pastry for Mantu

  • Pour flour into a large bowl, slowly add some water, and mix them with your hands to make a dough.
  • Allow dough to rest for 15-20 minutes until it becomes settled.
  • You can split the dough into small ball shapes when it becomes firm.
  • Place a little flour on a bench surface and spread it out. Then, place one of the balls on the bench and use a roller to make it soft.

How to wrap the Mantu?

  • A pasta machine will roll the dough ball into thin (1/16-inch) strips. Cut the strips into 2-inch squares.
  • Put one tablespoon of the cooled ground beef and onion mixture on each Pastry. Wet the edges of the square with water to help the wrap stick together.
  • Fold over the first two opposite ends of the square, followed by the other two ends, to enclose the filling and form a dumpling. Press the edges tightly to seal them together.
  • Repeat with the remaining squares until all the filling is used up.

How to cook Mantu?

  • Open the steamer and pour some water into its dish, cover and bring to a boil.
  • Grease the steamer base to avoid sticking, and carefully arrange the dumplings on the slippery surface.
  • Cover with a lid and steam for 40 minutes.
  • Once the dumplings are cooked, spread a thin layer of yogurt mixture on a large serving plate and place the steamed dumplings on top.
  • Drizzle additional yogurt mixture over the dumplings and evenly coat them with the topping sauce.
  • Finish by sprinkling dried mint and a touch of cayenne pepper as a garnish.