Last Updated on January 12, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Whole Wheat Lahmacun – Turkish Pizza is a complete meal with vegetables and meat. Cook it on the grill and have it at your summer barbecue.
As many of you know, my main job among several, is teaching culinary classes to children. As a freelance chef instructor, I have several employers. Some of the classes I teach I am completely in charge and have the freedom to teach what I think is the best to teach them culinary skills and nutrition. However, with some of my employers, I have to use the recipes the program has developed.
Most of you know I am a stickler for history and authenticity. Sometimes, it is so difficult for me to teach a recipe that is not being done in a traditional way or uses ingredients that are not native to the cuisine we are presenting. Even if substitutions are being used, they should be geographically accurate in my opinion. The main focus of this program is to teach kids how to eat nutritionally balanced meals and they are less concerned with the authenticity of the recipes used. Whether or not if it’s a fusion recipe is irrelevant to them. Since they are the ones providing my paycheck, I teach what I must, but I still tell the students the authentic way so the students can be informed and try it again the right way on their own, if they desire.
I had never before heard of Lahmacun – salad and meat on a pizza. I browsed around the internet a bit to view some different sources. I then used the guidebook I teach from for inspiration for this recipe, however, I improved it a bit by adding some traditional ingredients that were omitted by my guidebook version. This is still a nutritionally balanced meal that your kids can enjoy making with you and you can feel good about feeding to the kids. Salad on top of a pizza is making sure they get their daily veg intake, in addition to protein and whole grains, with a wheat crust.
Turkish food is such a flavorful cuisine at the crossroads of both Europe & the Middle East. Looking to add some more Turkish flavor into your meals. Check out some of these recipes!
Turkish Recipes
- Piyaz – White Bean Salad
- Firinda Makarna – Turkish Mac & Cheese
- Pide – Turkish Lamb Open Faced Pies – another form for Turkish Pizza
- Turkish Semolina Pudding
IN THE MAKING – HOW TO MAKE LAHMACUN
You can make a Vegetarian version by using soya granules for the meat.
I did not use the nuts in the photos above, but traditionally it would be included.
A complete #kidfriendly meal.
Whole Wheat Lahmacun – Turkish Pizza
Ingredients
- Dough Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup warm water 110 - 115 F
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 - 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon dry milk powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 cup olive oil divided
- 1 egg
- Lamb Topping Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground lamb ground beef can also be used
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 finely chopped garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sumac
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- Salad Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped tomato 3 vine ripened tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped English cucumber 1/2 cucumber
- 1 cup thinly sliced radishes about 3 large radishes
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Yogurt Sauce Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, combine warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of the sugar. Give it a quick whisk. Sprinkle yeast on top. Leave for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Place all purpose flour and 1 cup of the wheat flour with the dry milk, remaining sugar and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of the olive oil and egg. Add to bowl of electric mixer. Using dough attachment, mix for 1/2 a minute.
- Add proofed yeast and knead for 5 minutes, until the dough is soft and elastic. Add up to 1/2 cup of more flour as necessary. Place in a lightly greased bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Leave for 1 hour, until the dough is almost doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, let's make the lamb topping. Combine all lamb topping ingredients except tahini and nuts. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Combine all salad ingredients and toss well.
- Whisk together yogurt sauce ingredients until thoroughly incorporated. Transfer to a squeeze bottle
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Cover 3 cookie sheets with parchment paper and spray with non stick spray.
- Divide dough into 6 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll into 7" discs. Lightly brush tops with the remaining olive oil. Cover with a kitchen towel and leave for 15 minutes.
- Brush the top with tahini. Divide meat filling into 6 portions and spread on top in a thin layer. Sprinkle nuts on top. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until just cooked.
- Sprinkle salad on top. Drizzle yogurt sauce on top.
Notes
I did not use the nuts in the photos above, but traditionally it would be included.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#62
What a fun job! I didn’t learn how to cook until college…and then I’m not sure if you would call what I did cooking. Obviously I’m much better now. 🙂 I think it’s an important skill to learn…my kids are learning much earlier than I did! This looks like a fun recipe for them to try…they all love lamb and Middle Eastern food. I bet they would really like this!
What a fabulous job you do of combining education and life skills for kids. I hope your young students appreciate your cooking as much as we appreciate your zeal for authenticity. And speaking of authenticity, while I can’t vouch for it in this recipe, I can tell you that I’m salivating at your photo and recipe – hope to make this soon.
This pizza reminds me of kari dosai, where minced meat is topped on dosa which is so famous here. Serving the salad on top of the pizza sounds like an interesting way of adding veggies in kid’s diet..
I enjoyed reading about your work..it must be so satisfying teaching young kids on such topic..and the pizza sounds so much fun!
My mouth is just watering here, seriously this turkish pizza will satisfy my hungry tummy.
There are so many layers of flavor on this pizza! Your students are lucky to have you as a teacher.
I love ground lamb and this is a great way to use it! Looks delicious.
Teaching is a profession that only a few can do and I can see that you are really enjoying it. Lovely recipe!
You do enjoy your job Mir. Love what you do, As for the pizza its delicious.
Lovely recipe Mireille! Teaching kids gives us lot of fun.. Pizza looks yummy.
Whole wheat lahmacun looks so filling and delicious.Love reading abut your profession.
I remember you telling us the ‘not-so-authentic’ material that you have to use for teaching. Your students are lucky that they get to learn the authentic version of the recipe too because of you 🙂
Lahmacun looks so filling, colorful and delicious. I’m going to look up for veggie toppings and make it for the kids.
It’s awesome that you put so much effort into authenticity and historical significance of the dishes! Lovely looking pizza…will try the veg version surely!
I saw this in middle eastern restaurants but without veggies , now i know how to make masala, will surely try this ,
you should definitely check out this traditional version
This is really a fantastic pizza recipe with Turkish flavours. Nice for a change and a treat for every pizza lover. I am going to try this soon with chicken as we rarely eat red meat. Your blog has interesting recipe collection from all over the world. Thanks dear.
thank you so much for the huge compliment. Yes it will be just as delicious with chicken!
This is a very interesting recipe which includes carbs, proteins and vitamins in one dish. Serving it as a pizza is also a winner with the younger generation. It was also very interesting to read about the various classes you teach.
Yes I think Turkish pizza is definitely a delicious option for the kids to enjoy!
Very interesting recipe. A different flavour and full of protein. I would love to try it when my kids will come home. I am sure they will love the taste specially my son who love lamb meat. Great to know about your profession. Teaching kids culinary skill is really interesting job.
thank you. I am sure your son will love it!
My, my my Mireille, this Turkish Pizza or Whole Wheat Lahmacun must be a total burst of flavours with meat, salad, tahini, yogurt, spices, etc. Like the vegetarian option of replacing minced meat with soya granules. Overall, a healthy pizza to enjoy.
yes it is easily adaptable to a vegetarian diet
Teaching about food and cooking is a wonderful way to tell them to stay healthy. Lovely recipe of the wheat pizza.
This recipe is so good. I am sure your family will love it!