Sinop Mantısı (Turkish Walnut Dumplings)
In the Black Sea city of Sinop, mantı is done differently. Forget the garlic yogurt; here, crunchy walnuts and nutty browned butter take center stage.
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Recipe Details
Ingredients
Shopping List
- 3 cups FlourAll-purpose
- 1 whole EggFor the dough
- 1 cup WaterLukewarm (adjust as needed)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 250 grams Ground BeefLow fat
- 1 medium OnionGrated and squeezed
- 1 tsp Black PepperGenerous amount
- 1.5 cups WalnutsFinely crushed (Ceviz içi)
- 3 tbsp ButterUnsalted
- 1 tbsp Vegetable OilFor boiling water
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Make the dough: Mix flour, egg, salt, and water. Knead for 8-10 minutes until you have a firm, smooth dough. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
Chef's Tip: Dough should be firmer than bread dough.
Step 2
Prepare the filling: Mix ground beef, grated onion, salt, and black pepper. No cooking needed.
Step 3
Divide dough into 2 pieces. Roll out each piece on a floured surface until it is quite thin (about 2mm).
Step 4
Cut the dough into 3x3 cm squares. Place a pea-sized amount of filling in the center of each square.
Step 5
Fold the square into a triangle, pressing the edges to seal. Then, take the two bottom corners of the triangle and pinch them together behind the dumpling.
Chef's Tip: This creates the classic shape.
Step 6
Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the dumplings and cook for 7-8 minutes until they float and the dough is tender.
Step 7
While pasta cooks, melt the butter in a pan until it foams and turns golden brown.
Chef's Tip: Browned butter (beurre noisette) adds flavor.
Step 8
Drain the dumplings and transfer to a serving dish. Generously sprinkle the crushed walnuts on top.
Step 9
Pour the hot browned butter over the walnuts and dumplings. Serve immediately.
Chef's Tip: The sizzle is part of the presentation.
Congratulations!
You've successfully prepared an authentic Turkish dish. Enjoy your delicious creation!
About This Recipe
While classic Kayseri mantı is famous for its tiny size and tomato-yogurt sauce, Sinop Mantısı offers a completely different experience. Hailing from the Black Sea region, these dumplings are folded into a unique triangle shape and are traditionally served with a generous topping of crushed walnuts and browned butter.
The "Kulak" (Ear) Shape
Sinop mantı is folded into a triangle, often called "kulak hamuru" (ear dough) because the two ends are twisted together to look like a small ear. The dough is rolled slightly thinner than standard mantı, making it incredibly delicate.
Walnuts vs. Yogurt
The most striking difference is the topping. The earthiness of the walnuts combined with the richness of browned butter creates a savory, nutty profile that is distinct from the tangy, garlicky profile of standard mantı. However, some locals (and restaurants) offer it "mixed" (karışık)—with both yogurt and walnuts.
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