Lahmajun

Here’s a delicious recipe for Lahmajun, often referred to as Turkish pizza. This dish features a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a flavorful mixture of minced meat, vegetables, and spices.

Lahmajun

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

The Topping:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb (or a mix of both)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 bell pepper, finely chopped (red or green)
• 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped (or 1/4 cup tomato paste)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

1. Make the Dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix well.
• Gradually add warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
• Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Topping:

• In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped onion, minced garlic, bell pepper, tomatoes (or tomato paste), parsley, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.

3. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up as well.

4. Roll Out the Dough:

• Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 4 equal pieces.
• On a floured surface, roll each piece into a thin circle about 10 inches in diameter.

5. Assemble the Lahmajun:

• Place one rolled-out dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread about 1/2 cup of the meat mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
• Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

6. Bake:

• Bake each Lahmajun Near Me in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes or until the edges are crispy and the meat is cooked through.
• If using a pizza stone, you may need to bake one or two at a time.

7. Serve:

• Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing.
• Serve with fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and optional toppings like sliced onions or yogurt.

Tips

• For added flavor, you can experiment with spices like sumac or Aleppo pepper.
• Lahmacun is traditionally served rolled up with fresh herbs inside.

Enjoy your homemade Lahmajun! This dish is perfect for sharing as an appetizer or enjoying as a meal on its own.