Lahmacun aka Spicy Turkish Beef Pizza

This recipe is a complete revelation to me...it's just wonderful. Fabulous flavours of the Eastern Mediterranean, sunshine in eat bite.   The Turks make this with either minced lamb or beef....beef is what I had and it worked so very well.  The pizza topping needs no pre cooking....everything is baked in a really hot oven then topped with the salad....totally delicious and one you must try.

 this recipe will make 2 10" pizzas

You can either use pre-bought pizza bases or follow the simple bread recipe below....it really is worth the effort to make your own

Ingredients.

to make 2 10" pizzas

For the bread:-

12 oz plain flour

a little polenta for rolling out

2 tsps salt

2 tsp easy blend dried yeast

1 tsp sugar

2 tbsp olive oil

approx 8 fl oz/240 ml warm water

For the Spicy Beef Topping :-

around 3/4 tbsp of Tahini (sesame paste) to spread over the pizza bases

250gms/ ½lb  lean minced beef 

1 onion finely diced

1 clove garlic crushed

1 red chilli chopped

1 tsp chilli flakes

1½ tsp cinnamon powder

1½ tsp ground allspice

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 tbsp Sumac  ( if you can't get this Zataar is available in most supermarkets use it instead and add a little more more lemon juice to the mix)

2 tbsp Pomegranate Molasses (if you can't get this try reducing balsamic vinegar to a syrup)

juice of half a lemon

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp Pine nuts

Salad:-

3 or 4 tomatoes sliced into quarters

a 6" piece of cucumber cut into slices

1 small red onion finely sliced

a little chopped parsley and mint

half a chopped red pepper

squeeze of lemon juice 

optional feta cheese crumbled

For the bread bases.

in a food processor fitted with a dough hook add the dry ingredients

combine then add the oil and gradually add the warm water

you may not need it all  the dough should be slightly sticky but not overly wet

Mix slowly to knead for around 5 minutes.

Remove the dough, place in an oiled bowl, cover with cling film and leave to prove in a warm place for at least 1 hour until doubled in size

I like to make my dough the night before it's needed and then just leave it in the fridge to slowly prove

 if doing it this way take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before rolling out

Cut the dough in half

Sprinkle some polenta on the work surface and roll each half out into approx 10" circles.

You may have to do this in a couple of sessions. the dough can be very springy..I find it easier to let it rest slightly then roll again into shape

Brush each side with a little olive oil and place on baking trays

Heat the oven to 230c /450f/ gas 8

Combine all the topping ingredients together except for the Tahini & pine nuts

Mix well together

spread the Tahini over the bases

spoon the spiced beef mix over 

sprinkle with pine nuts

Bake for around 15 mins in the hot oven

the base should crispy around the edges and the meat thoroughly cooked through

serve while still hot with the salad placed in the middle of each pizza

add a little Feta cheese if desired

I hope you enjoy it just as much a we did ♥