Ikra Minced Meat Kayseri Dumplings (Mantı) – 700 g

There is an old saying in central Turkey that a bride proves her skill when forty pieces of her mantı fit on a single spoon. Ikra's Kayseri mantı follows that tradition, with tiny parcels of thin dough wrapped around seasoned minced meat, ready to cook from the 700g bag without hours of rolling and folding.

Why Kayseri Mantı Is Different

Most cuisines have their own dumplings, from Italian tortellini to Polish pierogi, but Turkish dumplings from Kayseri are famous for their size. Each one is about as big as a fingernail, pinched into a little four-cornered purse with a speck of filling inside. That small size changes everything. The dough cooks quickly and stays tender, and you get a proper balance of pasta, meat and sauce in every mouthful rather than a heavy lump of dough.

Making them by hand is a labour of love that can take a whole afternoon, which is why many families now save the homemade version for special occasions and keep a good ready-made mantı in the kitchen for everyday meals.

How to Cook It

Bring a large pan of salted water to a rolling boil, add the mantı and stir gently so the pieces do not stick together. Simmer until the dough is soft and the dumplings float, then drain well. Check the cooking time printed on the bag, as it can vary depending on how you store them.

The Classic Topping

Traditional mantı is served in three layers, and each one matters.

• Stir a crushed clove or two of garlic and a pinch of salt into thick plain yoghurt to make a simple garlic yoghurt, then spoon it generously over the hot dumplings.
• Melt butter in a small pan with a little tomato paste and a good shake of pul biber until it turns bright red and smells nutty.
• Drizzle the butter over the yoghurt, then sprinkle with dried mint and a little sumac if you like a citrus note.

Serve it straight away while the contrast between hot pasta, cool yoghurt and sizzling butter is at its best.

Other Ways to Enjoy It

For a crisp twist, toss the boiled dumplings with melted butter and bake them in a hot oven until the edges turn golden, then add the yoghurt and sauce on top. Some cooks also simmer mantı in a light tomato broth for a warming soup on winter evenings.

An Easy Dinner for Busy Households

Keep a bag of Kayseri mantı ready and a satisfying dinner is never more than twenty minutes away. The 700g pack comfortably serves three to four people as a main course, and it is a dish that children and adults both tend to love. Pair it with a simple salad of tomato, cucumber and parsley, and a cold glass of ayran, for a complete Turkish meal.

Order Kayseri Mantı from Robin Food

Robin Food brings authentic Turkish ready meals to homes across the UK, with same-day delivery available in many parts of London. While you shop, take a look at our içli köfte, lahmacun and sweet red pepper flakes to finish the dish the proper way. Please check the pack for full ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.