Ichlekli Balyk
Içlekli balyk (ich-LEK-lee BAH-luhk)
Fish Stuffed Flatbread
Flatbread stuffed with seasoned Caspian fish, onions, and herbs, baked until the bread is crispy and the fish filling is fragrant and flaky.
Nutrition & Info
Allergen Warnings
Equipment Needed
Presentation Guide
Instructions
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1
Make dough from flour, water, and salt, knead until smooth then divide into two portions and rest for twenty minutes.
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2
Cook diced onion in oil until golden then add flaked fish, cumin, pepper, and fresh herbs, mixing gently to combine.
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3
Roll the larger dough portion into a thin round and place on an oiled baking tray.
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4
Spread the fish and onion filling evenly across the dough leaving a border at the edges for sealing.
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5
Cover with the second rolled dough sheet and crimp edges firmly to seal then brush the top with egg yolk.
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6
Bake at two hundred degrees Celsius for thirty minutes until the bread is golden brown and the filling is cooked through.
Did You Know?
This dish is a specialty of the Turkmenbashi coastal region where Caspian fishermen have been baking fish into bread for generations.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- rolling pin
- baking tray
- mixing bowl
- skillet
Garnishing
fresh dill, lemon wedges
Accompaniments
green tea, salad
The Story Behind Ichlekli Balyk
Ichlekli balyk is a specialty of Turkmenistan's Caspian Sea coast, combining the inland tradition of filled flatbreads with the coastal bounty of fresh fish. This dish demonstrates how Turkmen cuisine adapted its fundamental cooking techniques to local ingredients, creating regional specialties that differ significantly from the lamb-centered dishes of the interior desert regions.
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