The cold December air is heavy with the delicious aromas of baked delicacies.It seems like the whole world is busy with one thing-baking. Anywhere you go, you get that whiff of cakes, breads or cookies being baked somewhere in the neighborhood,stimulating your senses and evoking a mood of cheer and revelry . These mouth watering floating aromas trigger happy childhood memories surrounding us with an overwhelming feeling of de’javu and create an instant craving for them.
Much as it is easy to buy baked goodies from the store, the process of baking them in our own home is an exhilarating experience on its own. The feel of the flour, the sound of the blender,the sight of the rising bread in the oven, the ambrosial lingering smell and finally the delicious taste of the final product– all these experiences arouse and tickle our senses to mixed feelings of pride and satisfaction.
Savory or sweet, baking always works as therapy for me. Aromatherapy without shelling money in the spa 😉
When I came across this delicious recipe for Chicken Fatayer @Taste of Emarat there was no stopping me.
Fatayer is popularly found in Arab bakeries in different shapes and fillings. Generally cheese fatayer comes in boat shapes, spinach in triangular and meat in square or bun shapes.The dough is easy to make and does not require much resting time. The baked fatayer come out soft and fluffy. You can experiment with the fillings. Either you make it from scratch or just use leftover beef,mutton or chicken with some caramelized onions.
Chicken Fatayer
Ingredients for dough:
- 3cups flour
- 1 tsp. yeast
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil/corn oil
- 3 tbsp. yogurt
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 egg whisked for basting
Place the flour in a bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the yeast, sugar and salt , then add the water and oil. Mix well until combined then knead for 5 minutes. Put it in a glass bowl and cover it with cling film and leave aside till double in size.
Ingredients for filling:
- 2 cups of boiled and shredded chicken
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp. pepper/red chilli powder
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- Cheese optional
Put oil in a pan and saute onions and garlic. Add chicken and spices. saute and take off heat.
Assembling the Fatayer:
Take the dough out and punch it lightly. Make 10-12 round balls from it. With your fingertips flatten each ball and put a teaspoon of the filling. pick up the sides and close to form a ball.Make all the balls in a similar way. Grease a baking tray and place the balls with a gap of 1 inch between them. Brush with a whisked egg. sprinkle sesame seeds if you like. Bake in a pre heated oven at 180º C for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Aromas and Flavors from my Kitchen 
I can smell them from here! Yummy!! 🙂
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Haha 🙂 You sure must be Linda. That’s the best part of baking. The delicious aroma lingers in your home for quite some time.
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Oh what a clever idea for a stuffed bun, I’m not sure I’ve heard of it or even tasted it Ana. But wow, does it ever sound delicious!
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Thank you so much Loretta. The recipe is not originally mine,though I tweaked it a little bit. It is simpler to bake than most other breads and quite delicious too. Complete meal in itself 🙂
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Wonderful!
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Thank you 🙂
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I love these stuffed rolls – someone else made a version recently. Makes me hungry and I wish I had a couple of these for lunch instead of soup. I would like the cheese, please 🙂
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Thank you so much dear Judi. Wish I could send it right across to you. I remember Jhuls had made something similar- Asado buns. And I had told her that I was about to bake Chicken fatayer. And Cheese yes!! My favorite too. But I have a lot of family get togethers and parties to attend this month. So I need to count my calories 😀
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Ana,
I definitely like this kind of aromatherapy! What a delicous recipe…..I am drooling:)
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Wow these look so good yummmm
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Whoa!! Those really look delicious, wish I had one now.
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Wow looks yummy
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Heavenly!! looks wonderful!
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These are nice 🙂
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Looks so delicious ☺☺
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Thank you Lina ☺
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Oh my, my darling, doesn’t this look awfie braw xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Haha 😉 Thanks Sheh
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“the ambrosial lingering smell” oh, yes, you have a lovely way with both words and recipes – This is wonderful! ;^) ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thank you so much Aisha. Its very kind of you ☺
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Happy Holidays!
All the warmest wishes for you & your loved ones 🙂
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Thank you so much for your warm wishes. Happy holidays to you too. Have a wonderful and cheerful week ahead 🍰🍞🍫🌻🌻🌻
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A very innovative dish
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Thank you so much 🙂
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I love stuffed bread so much! I didn’t know this kind of Fatayer, now i wanna try them 😀
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Please do. Pretty easy and delicious. thank you for stopping by Cris 🙂
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These buns looks very delicious 🙂
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Thank you so much ☺
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Looks yummm n delicious 😋😋
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Thank you Neethu ☺
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They look amazing! You are right, there is nothing like more relaxing and satisfying than baking and having the kitchen filled with the loveliest flavours.
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Thank you so much dear Daniela. It somehow reflects a happy home ❤ ❤
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These sound wonderful–what a great comfort food meal! 🙂
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Thank you so much Nancy 🙂
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yum Yum, I looked at aromatherapy in the title and was dumbfounded, 😀 It certainly is a pleasure especially for one who also waits to eat, yum, you always make me crave seeing the food you post. I would have it with tea and chicken makes me hungry right now. Thank you for sharing dear. 🙂 🙂
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And you always motivate me to put up one more post even if i am feeling lazy. Thank you Arohi for your kindness. You are my sweetest blogging friend ever. Lots of virtual hugs to you 💕
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aw! I am so happy, you made my day, Thank you so much, you are so kind and also my sweetest and blogging friend ever, best wishes loves, xoxo
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Baked goods like these you don’t mind winter so much. You want to keep those windows closed, not so much for the heat but to keep the aroma locked up in your home.
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Exactly!!! You have put in words what I was meaning to say. Baking is more fun in winters because the delicious aromas just won’t leave home. Thank you for the kind words ☺
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What a delectable & inspiring alternative filling! I have not seen that ever before,…a savory filling! Those filled buns must taste fantastic! xxx
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They were delicious Sophie. A meal in itself. Easy meal on the go. Good as box lunch for kids as well as adults. Thank you for liking it ☺
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🙂
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Wow, these look amazing. I love making bread, you’re so right, there’s something magical about watching them rise as they bake. First time I’ve come across fatayer, on my list to try now. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you Sarah for the kind words ☺ Please do try the recipe. I am sure you will love it.
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Yummo!
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Thanks Nell 🙂
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I love your idea of aromatherapy! 😉 I’ve never heard of fatayer; so glad you “introduced” me to it. My family would really like these, and I think they would be perfect in a school lunch box. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much for your kind words ☺ I simply love the delicious aromas wafting out of the oven. They make a home so warm and cozy.The Fatayer is indeed delish. I am sure your kids are going to love it in the lunch box.
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Im glad to see this recipe on your website, so happy you liked it
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Your blog has always been an inspiration to me. I find the recipes very interesting and delicious. Thank you for sharing ☺
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what’s the yogurt for in your recipe?
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Yogurt hydrates the dough and keeps it nice and soft plus it gives a slight sourdough bread kind of taste.
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