Murtabak is a popular stuffed pancake found in various Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. It's often filled with a mixture of vegetables, eggs, and spices. A step-by-step guide on how to make Murtabak:
Ingredients:
For the Pancake Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Filling:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ground meat (chicken, beef, or lamb), or tofu for a vegetarian version
- 1/2 cup chopped vegetables (cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, etc.)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
For the Pancake Dough:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the water while stirring to form a smooth dough.
- Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes soft and elastic. Divide it into small balls (usually golf ball-sized).
- Coat each dough ball with a bit of vegetable oil and place them on a tray. Cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for at least 2 hours.
For the Filling:
2. Prepare the Filling:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they become translucent.
- Add the ground meat (or tofu for a vegetarian version) and cook until it's browned.
- Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for a few minutes until they start to soften.
- Stir in the curry powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Push the filling to one side of the pan and crack the eggs into the other side. Scramble the eggs until they're cooked.
- Combine the scrambled eggs with the rest of the filling, creating a uniform mixture. Remove it from the heat and set it aside.
3. Assemble and Cook:
- Take one of the rested dough balls and roll it out into a thin, round pancake on a lightly floured surface. Aim for a thickness of about 1-2 mm.
- Place a portion of the filling in the center of the pancake.
- Fold the sides of the pancake over the filling to create a rectangular or square shape. Press the edges to seal them.
4. Cook the Murtabak:
- Heat a little vegetable oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Carefully transfer the stuffed pancake to the skillet and cook until it's browned and crispy on both sides. Make sure to cook it over medium heat to ensure the inside gets fully cooked without burning the outside.
5. Serve:
- Remove the Murtabak from the skillet, let it cool slightly, then slice it into smaller pieces for serving.
- Serve it with a side of cucumber slices and a dipping sauce of your choice. A common dipping sauce is a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar with sliced red chilies.
Murtabak is a delicious and satisfying dish with a crispy outer layer and a flavorful filling. It's often enjoyed as a street food or as a hearty snack or meal in Southeast Asia.