Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon milk (optional, for soft dough)
For the Toppings:
- 250g ground beef or lamb (or a mix of both)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional for meat pide)
- 1/2 cup Turkish white cheese (or feta cheese) for cheese pide
- 1 egg (for glazing)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, instant dry yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Gradually add warm water and mix until the dough starts to come together. You can use a stand mixer or knead by hand.
- Add olive oil and milk (if using), and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise for about 1 hour in a warm place, or until it doubles in size.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the ground meat (beef or lamb) to the pan. Cook it, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, cumin (if using), black pepper, and salt. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld together. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Assemble the Pide:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into an oval or boat-shaped flatbread on a lightly floured surface, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Place each dough portion onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a pizza stone if available.
- Spoon the prepared meat mixture evenly over the dough, spreading it to the edges but leaving a border around the edges for folding.
- For a cheese pide, add crumbled feta cheese or Turkish white cheese on top instead of the meat mixture.
4. Bake the Pide:
- Gently fold the edges of the dough over the filling, creating a raised lip around the sides, leaving the center exposed.
- Beat the egg and brush it over the edges of the dough to give it a golden, glossy finish.
- Place the pide in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy and the filling is cooked through.
5. Serve:
- Remove the pide from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley.
- Slice the pide into individual portions, serve with a side of yogurt, or fresh lemon wedges for extra flavor.
Variations:
- Cheese Pide: Instead of ground meat, use a combination of mozzarella and feta cheese or Turkish beyaz peynir (white cheese). You can also add spinach, eggplant, or other vegetables to make it more substantial.
- Egg Pide: Some pides have a cracked egg placed in the middle of the filling during the last few minutes of baking. This gives a rich and creamy flavor to the dish.
- Sucuklu Pide: You can add slices of Turkish sausage (sucuk) along with ground meat for extra flavor.
Tips:
- Make sure the dough is rolled out thin for a crispy base.
- If you like a crispier edge, you can bake the pide directly on a pizza stone or place a baking tray upside down in the oven to cook the pides on.
- For a more traditional touch, eggplant, mushrooms, and bell peppers can be added to the meat filling for extra flavor and texture.
Enjoy:
Pide is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your taste. It’s perfect for a casual meal with friends and family, or as part of a Turkish-themed dinner party!