Vegetarian Lahmacun Turkish version of Pizza with a soft, thin crust with just a little bit of cheese and chopped veggies. Perfect as on-the-go food.
My family loves Pizza. Both my kids have polar opposite tastes in food, but the only thing that both of them like is Pizza.
I am always looking for new pizza recipes, especially ones that are unique and different from what we get in pizza corners here in the US.
To that end, I have tried quite a few different pizza variations like these:
Today, I have a delicious vegetarian Lahmacun from Turkey. It has a thin crust which is usually served and eaten folded. Amount of cheese used is much light compared to the American versions.
I made this for Bread Bakers event. Host for this month is lovely Karen who blogs at Karen's Kitchen Stories. Our theme for the month is "Middle Eastern Breads'.
I love middle eastern food and try new recipes all the time. I tried some amazing Middle Eastern breads in the past, like this Naan-e-barberi and this Pita bread.
Ingredients
Lahmacun is a thin crust pizza and is made with flour, instant yeast, salt, sugar, water and oil.
The delicious part of this pizza recipe is the toppings. They are light and do not weigh down the flatbread down.
Traditionally Turkish peynir is used as the cheese topping. If you have a Middle Eastern or International grocery close to you, look out for this cheese.
But good old grated mozzarella is a great alternate.
Eggs are an interesting addition to the topping. This is my family's favorite part. It gives the pizza an amazing texture and a delicious taste.
Instructions
Make the Dough:
- Combine flour, instant yeast, salt, sugar and water in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of the stand mixer. Mix and knead until a soft, pliable dough forms. Remove the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover and set aside to rise for 1 hour.
- Dough should be almost doubled. Punch down lightly and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Roll out each piece into a thin oval.
- Place the rolled out pizzas on 2 baking sheets, cover and set aside to rest.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a pizza stone in the oven. If you don't have one, then put a baking sheet to preheat.
Make the Fillings:
- In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, drained chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste.
- In another bowl, mix the cheeses, parsley, salt, pepper and beaten egg (if using). Mix well to combine.
Make the Pizza:
- Try and stretch out the dough as thin as possible. Spread the tomato paste evenly over the lahmacun, taking it almost to the edges. Top it with the cheese mix.
- Slide the pizzas on the heated pizza store or baking sheet and bake for 7~9 minutes or until the base is cooked, but still soft and the cheese is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and roll each one up while still hot and enjoy right away.
To make Vegan Lahmacun:
- Saute 2 diced onions in olive oil along with 3 garlic cloves. Add 1 diced green pepper and 3~4 chopped tomatoes and fry till the onions are brown.
- Mix about 1 cup of olive paste with 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon chili flakes and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Smear the olive paste on the rolled out flatbread and top it with fried veggies and bake until done. Then roll, wrap and Enjoy!!
Tips & Substitutions
- Substitute some of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour. I add about 1 cup of white whole-wheat flour in the dough.
- Substitute Feta cheese with more mozzarella cheese.
- Feel free to use your favorite toppings - just grated cheese is a great option. Or top with roasted/ grilled veggies.
Vegetarian Lahmacun
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2½ cups All purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon Instant Yeast
- ½ teaspoon Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- ¾~1 cup Warm Water
For the Topping:
- 3 tbsp Tomato paste
- 3 Medium Tomatoes, finely chopped and drained
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled*
- ¼ cup Parsley, finely chopped
- 2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten (optional)
- To taste Salt Pepper
Instructions
Make the Dough:
- Combine all the ingredients for the dough in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of the stand mixer. Mix and knead until a soft, pliable dough forms. Remove the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover and set aside to rise for 1 hour.
- Dough should be almost doubled. Punch down lightly and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Roll out each piece into a thin oval. At this point, dough might not stretch all the way, so try as much as you can, but don't fret too much. Place the rolled out pizzas on 2 baking sheets, cover and set aside to rest.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a pizza stone in the oven. If you don't have one, then put a baking sheet to preheat.
Make the Fillings:
- In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, drained chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste.
- In another bowl, mix the cheeses, parsley, salt, pepper and beaten egg (if using). Mix well to combine.
Make the Pizza:
- Try and stretch out the dough as thin as possible. Spread the tomato paste evenly over the lahmacun, taking it almost to the edges. Top it with the cheese mix.
- Slide the pizzas on the heated pizza store or baking sheet and bake for 7~9 minutes or until the base is cooked, but still soft and the cheese is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and roll each one up while still hot and enjoy right away.
Notes
- Substitute some of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour. I add about 1 cup of white whole-wheat flour in the dough.
- Substitute Feta cheese with more mozzarella cheese.
- For Vegan Version: Saute 2 diced onions in olive oil along with 3 garlic cloves. Add 1 diced green pepper and 3~4 chopped tomatoes and fry till the onions are brown.
- Mix about 1 cup of olive paste with 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon chili flakes and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Smear the olive paste on the lahmacun and top it with fried veggies and bake until done. Then roll, wrap and Enjoy!!
Wendy Klik
Ok, this is definitely getting made in this household, especially since October is National Pizza Month.
Claudia Lamascolo
Seriously I just got done eating and am hungry again looking at this pizza what an awesome dinner not a snack for me!
Mahy Elamin
I want to eat this pizza every day! Looks beautiful and tasty! Cannot wait to try this. This recipe looks incredible! Thank you.
Karyl Henry
I love that you do this as an on-the-go food! Genius idea, and perfect for a busy weekday lunch. I've never tried Turkish cheese, but I have an international deli near my house, and I'll definitely be checking it out
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
I tend to shy away from recipes that use yeast. I always think: it is too hard to make!! But for this.. it looks so good I might go for it!
Mayuri Patel
This pizza definitely looks so different from the American version. Looks tempting and like that one can fold it and enjoy it.
Karen
Woah. This looks delicious. A portable pizza! I guarantee I will be trying this.
Mahy Elamin
An interesting pizza recipe. That looks so warm and comforting! Yummy! Cannot wait to try this. Thank you for a great recipe!
Lauren Vavala
When I first saw this recipe. I thought ok, a yummy pizza recipe. Then you rolled it up and the whole thing transformed into something even more special! I would have never thought to do that and now I can't wait to try it!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
What a great theme for Breadbakers this round!! I love middle eastern breads, and this one looks incredible. I love Turkish food!
Marisa Franca
We love our flatbreads. In fact, I am collecting flatbread recipes. You can do so much with them -- make them like a pizza, or like a focaccia or naan. They are great as appetizers, snacks, or sides with a meal. A great all around bread. I do like your version of pizza. We'll have to give it a try.
Veena Azmanov
I learned about lahmacun when I came first to Israel and it was the best thing ever. This is now my kids favorite. We often make the veg or non-veg lahmacun. They call it Israel pizza. Simple, easy and always a bit hit in our home. This looks so good.
Catherine
What a wonderful recipe! Your pizzas look so good...I haven't made pizza in a while and now I'm feeling inspired!
Kalyani
What’s not to like in this pizza ? My elder one would go crazy eating this like a roll 🙂 I loved ur Turkish Pide earlier , Pavani and m sure to make this soon. Thank you for a vegan alternative too 😊
sneha datar
Tempting and delicious Veg Turkish pizza, feeling hungry looking at them.
Gift Morocco
Interesting thanks for your post.
Bhawana
It really amaze me how differently we can make pizza. Looking absolutely divine, I am looking forward to make this Pavani. totally in love with this.
Angela
I really enjoyed this pizza. I tried the egg mixture and found it very pleasing.
Traci
So easy and delicious! I love the eggs in this too...thanks for sharing 🙂
Shanna
I can't wait to try these this week. I showed my kids and they are excited to make them with me.