Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Mediterranean with our delectable spicy filling for pita bread. This versatile dish, also known as Lahmacun, is a true symphony of flavors, where minced meat, a medley of aromatic spices, and fresh herbs dance together in perfect harmony. Wrapped in the warmth of fluffy pita bread, this irresistible treat promises a burst of taste in every bite.
From the classic Turkish Lahmacun to its variations like the savory Armenian Lahmajoun and the tantalizing Lebanese Lahm bi Ajeen, each recipe in this article offers a unique twist on this beloved dish. Discover the secrets of preparing the perfect dough, mastering the art of creating a flavorful filling, and learning the techniques to achieve that irresistible crispy crust. Whether you prefer a traditional approach or crave a contemporary twist, these recipes cater to every palate, promising an unforgettable dining experience.
HOMEMADE PITA BREAD RECIPE
My family's authentic, fool-proof pita bread recipe is easy to make and requires a few ingredients you may already have on hand! Mix up the very simple dough, let it rise, and experience the magic of fresh, warm, perfectly puffy homemade pita bread. Baking and stovetop instructions included!
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Pita Bread
Time 1h48m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large mixing bowl add 1 cup lukewarm water and stir in yeast and sugar until dissolved. Add 1/2 cup flour and whisk together. Place the mixing bowl in a warm place, uncovered to form a lose sponge. Give it 15 minutes or so, the mixture should bubble.
- Now add salt, olive oil and almost all the remaining flour (keep about 1/2 cup of the flour for dusting later). Stir until mixture forms a shaggy mass (at this point, the dough has little to no gluten development and just looks like a sticky mess and you can easily pull bits off). Dust with a little flour, then knead the mixture inside the bowl for about a minute to incorporate any stray bits.
- Dust a clean working surface with just a little bit of flour. Knead lightly for a couple minutes or so until smooth. Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes, then knead again for a couple more minutes. The dough should be a little bit moist, you can help it with a little dusting of flour, but be careful not to add too much flour.
- Clean the mixing bowl and coat it lightly with extra virgin olive oil and put the dough back in the bowl. Turn the dough a couple times in the bowl to coat with the olive oil. Cover the mixing bowl tightly with plastic wrap then lay a kitchen towel over. Put the bowl in a warm place. Leave it alone for 1 hour or until the dough rises to double its size.
- Deflate the dough and place it on a clean work surface. Divide the dough into 7 to 8 equal pieces and shape them into balls. Cover with a towel and leave them for 10 minutes or so to rest.
- Using a floured rolling pin, roll one of the pieces into a circle that's 8-9 inches wide and about a quarter inch thick. It helps to lift and turn the dough frequently as you roll so that dough doesn't stick to your counter too much. (If dough starts to stick, sprinkle a tiny bit of flour). If the dough starts to spring back, set it aside to rest for a few minutes, then continue rolling. Repeat with the other pieces of dough. (Once you get going, you can be cooking one pita while rolling another, if you like). You have two options for baking the pita from here.
- Heat the oven to 475 degrees F and place a heavy-duty baking pan or large cast iron skillet on the middle rack to heat. Working in batches, place the rolled-out pitas directly on the hot baking baking sheet (I was only able to fit 2 at a time). Bake for 2 minutes on one side, and then, using a pair of tongs, carefully turn pita over to bake for 1 minute on the other side. The pita will puff nicely and should be ready. Remove from the oven and cover the baked pitas with a clean towel while you work on the rest of the pitas.
- To cook pita on stovetop: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. (Test by adding a couple drops of water to the skillet, the skillet is ready when the beads of water sizzle immediately). Drizzle a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil and wipe off any excess. Working with one pita at a time, lay a rolled-out pita on the skillet and bake for 30 seconds, until bubbles start to form. Using a spatula, flip the pita over and cook for 1-2 minutes on the other side, until large toasted spots appear on the underside. Flip again and cook another 1-2 minutes to toast the other side. The pita is ready when it puffs up forming a pocket (sometimes, with this method, the pita may not puff or may only form a small pocket. Try pressing the surface of the pita gently with a clean towel). Keep baked pita covered with a clean towel while you work on the rest.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 whole pita, Calories 205 calories, Sugar 0.4 g, Sodium 1.6 mg, Fat 4 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 36.4 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 5.2 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
SPICY FILLING FOR PITA BREAD
The unusual combination of spices gives this filling a tangy flavour. It is served with Middle Eastern pocket or pita bread rounds, which are cut in half so the meat mixture can be spooned inside. The filled pita pockets are then eaten like sandwiches.
Provided by Olha7397
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 35m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- TO SERVE: Medium sized or large whole wheat or white pita bread rounds, cut in half to form semicircles In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, garlic, and celery over medium high heat, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the meat is brown and the onion is tender.
- Drain off and discard any excess fat.
- Stir in the carrot and raisins.
- Add all the remaining ingredients, stirring to combine well.
- Bring to a boil.
- Turn the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the flavours are well blended.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Serve in pita bread pockets.
- Makes 6 to 8 servings.
- Serve as a light main dish.
- Eat Your Vegetables.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 199.2, Fat 7.8, SaturatedFat 3.1, Cholesterol 49.1, Sodium 470.9, Carbohydrate 16.5, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 10.4, Protein 16.5
TRADITIONAL PITA BREAD
My husband taught me how to make pita bread when we were first dating. He always has his eye out for good recipes. -Lynne Hartke, Chandler, Arizona
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 25m
Yield 6 pita breads.
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in salt and enough flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Do not let rise. , Divide dough into six pieces; knead each for 1 minute. Roll each into a 5-in. circle. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 500°. , Place upside down on greased baking sheets. Bake until puffed and lightly browned, 5-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 231 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 789mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
BLACK BEAN PITA POCKETS
"This is my own creation, invented one day at lunch time when I had limited time and ingredients," writes Ruth Lee, of Troy, Ontario. To add a fresh, crisp taste, add chopped cilantro to these pockets. Complete your meal by serving these with Chunky Tomato Guacamole.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 15m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Just before serving, fill pita bread halves with romaine, bean mixture and tomato.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 319 calories, Fat 11g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 615mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 12g protein.
CHEF JOHN'S PITA BREAD
Unlike lots of other baked products which are better from a bakery, this is so far superior to the stuff you get at the grocery store, it's not even close. And in addition to being delicious to eat, it's also extremely easy to make!
Provided by Chef John
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes Flat Bread Recipes
Time 3h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place yeast into the work bowl of a stand mixer and add 1 cup warm water and 1 cup flour. Whisk together and let stand 15 to 20 minutes for mixture to rise and make a loose sponge. Mixture will bubble and foam.
- Pour 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and salt into sponge; add 1 3/4 cup flour. Mix at low speed, using a dough hook attachment, until dough is soft, supple, and slightly sticky. If dough sticks to the sides of the bowl, add up to 1/4 cup more flour, a little at a time.
- Knead dough with machine on low speed until slightly springy and still soft, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and form into a ball.
- Wipe inside of bowl with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Turn dough around in bowl to cover with a thin film of oil; cover bowl with foil and let sit until dough has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
- Remove dough from bowl and place onto a floured work surface. Lightly pat into a flat shape about 1 inch thick. Use a knife to cut dough into 8 pieces.
- Form each piece into a small round ball with a smooth top, pulling dough from the sides and tucking the ends underneath the bottom.
- Cover dough balls with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle a small amount of flour on a work surface and top of a dough ball; gently pat dough ball flat with your fingers, forming a flat, round bread about 1/4 inch thick. Let dough round rest for 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough balls.
- Brush a cast-iron skillet with remaining 3/4 teaspoon olive oil and place over medium-high heat. Lay pita bread into hot skillet and cook until bread begins to puff up and bottom has brown spots and blisters, about 3 minutes. Flip, cook 2 more minutes, and flip back onto original side to cook for about 30 more seconds. Pita bread will begin to puff up and fill with hot air. Stack cooked breads on a plate; when cool enough to handle, break breads in half and open the pocket inside for stuffing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 186.6 calories, Carbohydrate 33.1 g, Fat 3.6 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 510.9 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
SPICY PITA CHIPS RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: pita bread, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, red pepper flakes
Provided by Merle O'Neal
Categories Snacks
Time 30m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
- Slice pita bread into eighths and spread chips out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes, and brush onto both sides of the chips.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Allow to cool.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 193 calories, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 2 grams, Sugar 0 grams
Tips:
- For the ultimate pita bread experience, use freshly made pita bread. You can find pita bread in most grocery stores, or you can make your own using a simple recipe.
- If you don't have any ground beef, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead.
- To make the filling even spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- If you don't have any cumin, you can use another ground spice, such as coriander or paprika.
- Serve the pita pockets with your favorite toppings, such as hummus, tahini sauce, or yogurt.
Conclusion:
This spicy filling is a delicious and easy way to turn pita bread into a satisfying meal. It's perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, and it's also a great way to use up leftover ground beef. So next time you're looking for a flavorful and satisfying meal, give this spicy filling a try. You won't be disappointed!
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