Lahmacun - Turkish Pizza

Lahmacun, often referred to as "Turkish pizza," is a delicious Middle Eastern flatbread topped with a flavorful, spicy meat mixture. This traditional Kurdish recipe blends a symphony of spices and herbs with a savory ground beef mixture, all embraced by a delicate homemade dough. Perfect for gatherings or a comforting family meal, lahmacun offers a delightful taste of Kurdish culinary heritage.

Ingredients

For the Topping:
🥩 1½ pounds ground beef
🧅 2 small onions
🧄 2 cloves garlic
🌶️ ½ green bell pepper
🍅 1 tomato
🌿 1 cup parsley
🍅 9 oz tomato paste (1½ 6oz cans)
🫒 ⅓ cup oil
🥄 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
🧂 ½ tablespoon salt
🌶️ 1 teaspoon black pepper
🌶️ 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Dough:
🌾 6 cups flour
🥄 2 tablespoons baking powder
🧂 1 tablespoon salt
🫒 3 tablespoons olive oil
💧 2¼ cups warm water

Instructions

1- Prepare the Topping:

• Roughly chop the onions and garlic, and blend them until finely minced.
• Add the parsley and bell pepper to the blender and blend until well combined.
• Finely chop the tomato by hand to avoid excessive moisture.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, blended mixture, chopped tomato, tomato paste, and oil.
• Season with chicken bouillon, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix everything well until fully combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.

2- Make the Dough:

• In another large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Add olive oil and slowly incorporate the warm water, mixing as you pour.
• Knead the mixture until you achieve a smooth dough consistency, approximately 5 minutes.
• Allow the dough to rest for 20-30 minutes, covered with a cloth.

3- Assemble and Cook the Lahmacun:

• Divide the dough into small balls and roll each into a thin, round disk on a floured surface.
• Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture evenly over each dough disk.
• Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook each lahmacun for about 5 minutes, covering the skillet to ensure even cooking.
• Let the bottoms become golden brown, and by that time, the top should also be thoroughly cooked.

4- Serving:

• Keep the cooked lahmacun warm in a preheated oven set to the lowest setting until ready to serve.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes (5 min per batch)
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6-8
Calories per Serving: Approximately 350
Nutritional Information per Serving: Protein: 18g, Fats: 18g, Carbohydrates: 32g
Equipment Needed: Blender, rolling pin, non-stick skillet

Cooking Tips

• Ensure the skillet is well-heated before placing the lahmacun to achieve a crispy crust.
• You can adjust the spice levels by increasing or decreasing the cayenne pepper according to your preference.
• Serve with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of sumac for an extra zing.

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Kurdish Lahmacun