Turkish Tacos: A Delicious Spinach and Cheese Delight You Need to Try!
Turkish Tacos: A Delicious Spinach and Cheese Delight You Need to Try!
Are you a fan of unique, flavorful, and easy-to-make dishes? Then get ready to discover your new favorite: Turkish Tacos! Forget everything you know about traditional tacos; this Turkish version, locally known as “Gözleme,” offers a delightful culinary experience that’s both comforting and exciting. With its thin, crispy dough and savory spinach and cheese filling, it’s a perfect meal any time of day.
Why You’ll Love This Turkish Tacos Recipe
Unlike their Mexican counterparts, Turkish Tacos (Gözleme) are more like a savory pancake or flatbread. The magic lies in the simplicity of its ingredients and the incredible flavor explosion when the golden-brown dough meets the luscious filling. It’s a popular street food and household staple across Turkey, cherished for its versatility and deliciousness. This recipe features a classic spinach and cheese filling, but the possibilities are endless!
Turkish Tacos (Spinach & Cheese Gözleme) Recipe
This recipe yields approximately 6-8 Turkish Tacos.
Prep time: 30 minutes (plus dough resting time)
Cook time: 2-3 minutes per Gözleme
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
3 cups (approx. 360g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (240ml) warm water
½ teaspoon salt
A very small amount of instant dry yeast
For the Spinach & Cheese Filling:
500g (approx. 1 lb) fresh spinach
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt to taste
Spices of your choice (e.g., red pepper flakes)
150g (approx. 5 oz) feta cheese, crumbled, or any desired salty cheese (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and dry yeast. Gradually add the warm water, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms.
Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. This is crucial for easy rolling.
2. Prepare the Spinach Filling:
Thoroughly wash the spinach leaves.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place the spinach in the boiling water for just two minutes until it wilts.
Drain the spinach and squeeze out excess water, then chop it into small pieces.
In a pan, sauté the chopped onion in olive oil until it’s cooked.
Add the chopped spinach to the pan. Season with salt and your desired spices.
Once the spinach is cooked, remove it from the heat.
When the mixture has cooled slightly, add the crumbled cheese (if using) and mix well.
3. Assemble and Cook the Turkish Tacos:
Divide the rested dough into 6-8 equal pieces. Roll each piece out into a very thin, round or oval shape.
Place a generous amount of the spinach and cheese filling on one half of the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border.
Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Gently press down the edges to seal it.
Heat a non-stick pan or flat griddle over medium heat. You don’t need any oil or butter.
Place one Turkish Taco on the hot pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown spots appear.
Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
4. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your homemade Turkish Tacos hot! They are perfect on their own or with a side of plain yogurt.
