Murtabak is a popular Malaysian night-market and mamak-stall favorite: thin stretched dough folded around a savory meat-and-egg filling and cooked on a hot griddle.
A well-rested supple dough stretches thinly without tearing, while the cooled beef mixture combines with egg just before each parcel is folded.
Cool the cooked beef before adding the eggs; hot filling can set them before the parcel reaches the griddle.
Serving Suggestions
Cut murtabak into squares and serve hot with cucumber-onion pickle and the tangy tomato sauce.
Recipe Notes
The dough and cooked beef filling can be prepared one day ahead. Bring the dough to room temperature before stretching.
Malaysian Murtabak
Crisp layered Malaysian flatbread parcels filled with warmly spiced beef, onion, egg, and scallions.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Large cast-iron griddle or skillet
- Medium skillet
- Rolling Pin
- Flexible spatula
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 2 tbsp neutral oil plus more for coating
- 1 cup warm water approximately
Beef and Egg Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp Malaysian curry powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 5 large eggs lightly beaten
- 4 large scallions thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp neutral oil for griddle cooking
Tangy Tomato Sauce
- 1 cup plain tomato passata
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
Instructions
Make and Rest the Dough:
- Mix the flour and salt. Add oil and enough warm water to form a soft dough, then knead for 8 minutes until smooth.
- Divide into 6 balls, coat lightly with oil, cover, and rest for 1 hour.
Prepare the Filling and Sauce:
- Cook the beef and onion over medium heat for 8 minutes. Add garlic, curry powder, cumin, and salt; cook for 2 minutes, then cool completely.
- Simmer the passata, vinegar, sugar, chili flakes, and salt for 8 minutes, then set aside.
- Combine the cooled beef with the eggs and scallions just before assembling.
Stretch and Cook:
- On a lightly oiled surface, stretch one dough ball into a very thin rough square. Spoon one-sixth of the filling into the center and fold all four sides over it to make a flat parcel.
- Heat a tablespoon of oil on the griddle over medium heat. Cook each parcel for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply golden and the egg is set. Rest for 2 minutes, then cut into squares.
Notes
- Keep unworked dough covered so the surface does not dry out.
- Cook over moderate heat so the filling sets before the thin bread becomes too dark.
Nutrition
Calories: 585kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 27gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 205mgSodium: 910mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10g