The pizza-style lahmacun, or lahmajoun, or translated "meat on dough" is popular in the Eastern Mediterranean region from Lebanon to Turkey. The crust has a thin crispy-soft texture from the stone oven. At home, it's traditionally baked in a pan without oil. The meat infused with summer vegetables creates a refreshing juicy topping. Enjoy lahmacun rolled up with or without salad filling.
Paprika, Turkish pepper (mild Marash & Urfa, crushed with oil and salt), anardana (pomegranate), oregano
Instructions
Seasoning Paste Step 1 - Option 1: Blend Fresh Produce with Food Processor
Ingredients needed in this step: onions, cloves garlic, parsley, bell pepper
In a FOOD PROCESSOR, blend onion and garlic into a paste.
Add parsley and bell peppers and chop coarsely. Make sure that some tiny pieces are still visible.
Seasoning Paste Step 1 - Option 2: Chop Fresh Produce without Food Processor
Ingredients needed in this step: onions, garlic, parsley, bell pepper
Grate onion and garlic, and finely chop parsley and bell peppers.
Seasoning Paste Step 2 - Mix with Remaining Ingredients
Ingredients needed in this step: seasoning paste from step 1, oil, tomato paste, spices
In a BOWL, add seasoning paste from step 1.
Stir in 1/4 cup olive oil and 2 tbsp tomato paste.
Add Lahmacun spices, salt (1.5 tsp recommended), and black pepper to taste. Mix well.
Add meat and knead well.
Resting Time
Let the meat mixture rest for 15 minutes.
If the liquid is not full absorbed, add more tomato paste.
Spread Meat Mixture onto Tortilla
On each tortilla, distribute about 2 tbsp of the meat mixture thinly up to the very edges.
Bake Option 1: in PAN (without oil)
Bake in a medium hot PAN (without oil) until the meat topping is cooked.
Repeat until all lahmacuns are prepared.
Bake Option 2: in OVEN - Preheat to 325°F
Bake in the OVEN (on parchment paper) until the meat topping is cooked.
Repeat until all lahmacuns are prepared.
Tip
To keep the lahmacuns warm until all are done, place the 2nd cooked lahmacun face down on top of the 1st one, the 3rd face up on top. Repeat.
Serve
Sprinkle lemon juice to taste on your lahmacun and add the toppings of your choice.
Roll up and enjoy!
Notes
[1] Substitute lamb with any other ground meat.Substitute meat with 2 cups of cooked lentils or bulgur.[2] Optionally, substitute or mix with fresh cilantro.[3] Optionally, substitute with bell pepper in a different color, for instance, orange, yellow.[4] A thin pizza crust is more authentic if it's available.[5] More topping options: thinly sliced red or green cabbage, rucola, ranch dressing, flat parsley