Turkish Katmer Pogaca / White Cheese Filled Savory Pastry

Step 1

To a mixing bowl add 1 cup lukewarm milk, 3/4 vegetable oil, and 1 cup lukewarm water.

Step 2

Crumble the fresh yeast or sprinkle dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar and mix everything. Wait about 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy.

Step 3

Add the whites to the dough, keeping the 1 yolk for egg wash along with about 7 cups all-purpose flour, 1+1/2 to 2 tsp salt, mahaleb (if you are using), and begin to mix everything, adding more flour if needed until you have a smooth, unsticky dough.

Step 4

Turn the dough into a ball, cover it with a tray, plate, or a damp kitchen towel and let it rest until doubled in size.

Step 5

Cut the dough in half and to 8-10 pieces and make them in ball shapes

Step 6

Roll out the pieces with a rolling pin and spread the top with some butter at room temperature (about a tbsp)

Step 7

Continue to roll out the other pieces and layer them on top of each other. Don’t butter the last piece.

Step 8

Get the layered dough batch, first press it with your fingers, and roll out as much as you can with a rolling pin. You can sprinkle flour if needed.

Step 9

Cut the big round shape of dough you had first to half and half again. And cut the quarters into small triangles. (You can watch the video)

Step 10

To a wider side of the triangles add a mix of cheese and chopped parsley and roll the dough. While you are rolling you can stretch out a bit to make more layers.

Step 11

Transfer the poachas into the tray and let them rise for a second time until it is almost doubled. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 200C degree. Brush the pot of the doughs with egg yolk and cook until in golden color in on top and bottom for about 25 minutes. (check after 20 or there are nice smell coming from the oven 🙂

Step 12

These pogacas are very popular among ladies tea parties. Here you can see an example menu for it and add this pogaca recipe to the menu too: 20 minutes Turkish Bulgur Salad Kısır