Circassian Fogaça

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional Portuguese Fogaça da Feira is transformed into a Circassian delight by incorporating Circassian spices and ingredients. The original sweet version is turned into a savory pastry by replacing the sweet filling with a mixture of ground chicken, walnuts, and Circassian spices. This fusion of flavors creates a unique and delicious dish that combines the best of both cuisines. We alse have the original recipe for Fogaça da Feira, so you can check it out.

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 250ml (1 cup) warm water 250ml (1 cup) warm water
• 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil
• 120g (½ cup) plain yogurt 120g (½ cup) plain yogurt
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 500g (1 lb) ground chicken 500g (1 lb) ground chicken
• 100g (1 cup) walnuts, finely chopped 100g (1 cup) walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt for the dough. Mix well.
2. 2.
   Add the warm water, olive oil, and yogurt to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. 4.
   In the meantime, prepare the filling. In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
5. 5.
   Add the ground chicken to the skillet and cook until browned. Add the chopped walnuts, ground coriander, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into small portions. Roll out each portion into a circle, about 10cm (4 inches) in diameter.
8. 8.
   Place a spoonful of the chicken and walnut filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, creating a round shape.
9. 9.
   Place the filled pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with olive oil.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground chicken — Make sure the ground chicken is cooked thoroughly to ensure food safety.
• Walnuts — Toasting the walnuts before chopping them will enhance their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a spicier filling, add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper.
• Serve the Circassian Fogaça warm for the best taste and texture.
• You can make the dough in advance and refrigerate it overnight for convenience.

Serving advice

Serve the Circassian Fogaça as an appetizer or a main dish. It pairs well with a fresh salad or a side of yogurt sauce.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Circassian Fogaça on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, for an appealing presentation.