Çerkeş Badıma Bükmesi

Çerkeş Badıma Bükmesi is a traditional dough product unique to the Çerkeş district of Çankırı, prepared using local badıma (madımak) herb. Thinly rolled dough is filled with badıma mixture, folded into a half-moon shape, and cooked on a griddle. The product is an important part of the regional culinary culture and holds a geographical indication registration.

Çerkeş Badıma Bükmesi (Çankırı Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Ingredients

Dough Components

For the dough

•42 grams fresh yeast

•1 litre water

•5 grams salt

•2.5 kilograms special-purpose wheat flour

For the filling

•1 kilogram madımak herb (badıma)

•100 millilitres sunflower oil

•30 grams butter

•260–300 grams (2 medium) dried onion

•2 grams black pepper

•2 grams crushed red pepper

•200 millilitres milk

•2 eggs

•10 grams salt

Preparation

1. Sunflower oil and butter are placed in a deep, food-safe pot and melted.
2. Chopped onion is added and sautéed for approximately 5 minutes until pinkish.
3. Fresh or frozen, cleaned and cut into 1–2 cm pieces of madımak herb is added optionally and stirred for 2 minutes.
4. Black pepper and crushed red pepper are added.
5. Milk, eggs, and salt are added sequentially and cooked for about 5 minutes to prepare the filling.
6. Fresh yeast, water, and salt for the dough are mixed and left to ferment for approximately 10 minutes.
7. The fermented yeast is added to the flour, and water is gradually incorporated while kneading for about 10 minutes.
8. The dough is rested for 15 minutes at room temperature, covered.
9. The dough is divided into 18–20 gram pieces and left covered for another 15 minutes.
10. Each piece is rolled into a circular sheet 45–50 cm in diameter and approximately 0.5 cm thick.
11. Thirty to forty grams of filling are placed on one half of each sheet, covered with the other half, shaped into a half-moon, and the edges are sealed tightly.
12. Each piece is cooked on a preheated griddle for approximately 3–4 minutes until both sides turn pinkish.
13. Butter may be brushed on top before serving, if desired.
14. The product must be consumed within one day of cooking.

Geographical Indication Registration

Çerkeş Badıma Bükmesi was registered as a geographical indication by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 3 July 2024 (Registration No: 1605). The application was submitted by the Çankırı Municipality. The registration ensures the preservation of the product’s original production method and regional characteristics.