Halfa (Puff) Dough

Ingredients

Dough

• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil, melted butter or ghee
• 4 tbsp cornstarch
• About 3/4 cup warm water (50°C) for kneading
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• Plenty of oil for frying

Fillings

• White cheese with paprika, parsley and nigella
• Boiled grated potato with curry, paprika, salt and black pepper
• Mixed cheese
• Cheese with fresh thyme, black olives and olive oil
• Creamy chicken filling (500 g chicken breast, 1 grated onion, 3 grated carrots, 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp oil, black pepper, salt, 1 stock cube, 1 1/2 cans evaporated milk)
• Musakhan filling
• Minced beef with onion, dill, salt, black pepper and mixed spices

Method

1. Mix the flour, salt and oil in a mixer and add the water gradually until you have a smooth dough. Rest exactly one hour.
2. Roll out on a floured surface, cut circles with a cutter, fill and seal into half-moons, without overfilling so they cook through when fried. Press the edges with a fork.
3. Heat plenty of oil, add the pieces without crowding until golden, and flip. Serve hot.