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Gurza
Lamb dumplings with garlic yogurt
Azerbaijani pleated lamb dumplings with garlic yogurt
AzerbaijaniGurza are small half-moon dumplings with a braided edge, made in Azerbaijani homes for Novruz and family gatherings, when the women pinch dozens around a shared table. They are filled with spiced minced lamb and onion, boiled until they float, and served with garlicky yogurt and a dusting of dried mint or sumac. The common mistake is rolling the dough too thick at the edges, which makes the pleats doughy; keep it thin and even. Cook the filling until it reaches 71 °C in the centre. Chef's tip: grate the onion and add a spoonful of cold water to the lamb, which keeps the filling juicy.
- Total time
- 80 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the dough
- 10 ½ oz plain flour
- 1 egg
- ½ cup cold water
- ½ tsp salt
For the filling
- 14 oz minced lamb
- 1 oniongrated
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh corianderfinely chopped
To serve
- 10 ½ oz plain yogurt
- 2 cloves garliccrushed
- 1 tsp dried mint or sumac
- 1 oz butter (optional)melted
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What you'll need
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix the 10 ½ oz plain flour, 1 egg, ½ cup cold water and ½ tsp salt and knead into a firm, smooth dough. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
10 minStep 2: Mix the 14 oz minced lamb, 1 onion, 2 tbsp cold water, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper and 2 tbsp fresh coriander well with your hand.
5 minStep 3: Roll the dough thinly and cut 8 cm circles. Put a teaspoon of filling on each, fold into a half-moon, press the edge closed, then pinch and fold the edge over itself all along to make a braid.
30 minStep 4: Mix the 10 ½ oz plain yogurt and 2 cloves garlic with a pinch of salt.
5 minStep 5: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Drop in the gurza in batches and simmer for 7–8 minutes after they rise to the top. Cut one open: the filling should be firm, with no pink, and 160°F on a thermometer.
10 minStep 6: Lift out with a slotted spoon, toss with 1 oz butter if using, and serve with the garlic yogurt spooned over and the 1 tsp dried mint or sumac sprinkled on top.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 30 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 21 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does gurza take?
- About 80 minutes in total: 60 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of egg?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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