Laham b’Ajeen

Syrian/Lebanese Meat Pizza

Ingredients

Dough:
4 cups flour
½ package (or 2 1/4 teaspoon) dry yeast dissolved in ¼ cup warm water
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons oil (optional)

Combine flour and salt. Add in dissolved yeast and mix well. Add oil (if using) and mix again. Add remaining water gradually into bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or with a clean linen towel and let rest in a warm place for 1 hour.

Meat Topping:
2 lbs. ground beef
2 grated onions which have been drained
½ 6 oz. can tomato paste
Juice of one lemon
½ cup tamarind paste
1 tablespoon allspice
1 tablespoon kosher salt
½ cup vegetable oil
Pine nuts for garnish (optional)

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Mix the ingredients for the meat topping together very well.
Roll out ¼ of the dough to make it as thin as possible. Cut the dough into small circles, which will be about 3-4 inches in diameter or as small as you’d like them.
Place all the circles onto a baking tray that has been covered with parchment paper.
Spread 1 heaping tablespoon of the meat topping onto the dough and press down firmly.
Bake the pizzas for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
Garnish the meat pizza with pine nuts, if using.

*From Episode 6 of the Podcast Food Family Tradition.