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Turkish Pide (Flatbread Pizza) with Cheese, Spinach, and Ground Lamb Filling Recipe

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4.1 from 12 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

This recipe for Turkish Pide offers a delicious take on the traditional flatbread pizza. Featuring a tender yeast dough rolled into oval shapes, each pide is filled with a variety of delicious options including a rich cheese filling, a savory spinach and feta mixture, or a spiced ground meat blend. After shaping, the dough is dipped in molasses water and coated with sesame seeds, then baked until golden brown and crispy. The result is a beautifully textured, flavorful Turkish classic that pairs wonderfully with fresh herbs and spices.

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup water + 2 tbsp water (lukewarm, 207 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (300 g)
  • 3 tbsp powdered milk or 1 tbsp dough conditioner (optional)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Coating Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp molasses or pomegranate molasses
  • 1 cup toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Cheese Filling

  • 2 cups Turkish kasar cheese or mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 tsp Turkish Spice Blend (optional)
  • Green and red hot chiles (diced or sliced)

Spinach Filling

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium white onion (diced)
  • 6 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 1 tbsp dill (chopped)
  • 1 tbsp parsley (chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)

Meat Filling

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium white onion (diced)
  • 1 lb ground lamb or beef
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp Turkish Spice Blend (optional)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground cayenne

Additional Ingredients

  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp nigella seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix the lukewarm water with sugar and instant yeast. Let it sit for about 3 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Prepare Dough: In a large bowl or mixer, combine the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and optional powdered milk or dough conditioner. Create a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture. Mix and knead for 6-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  3. Proof Dough: Cover the dough with a linen towel and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  4. Prepare Molasses Coating: In a large shallow dish, whisk together molasses with 3 tablespoons of water. Place toasted sesame seeds in another shallow dish. Set both aside for coating the pide later.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Tray: Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or silicone mat. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
  6. Shape Dough Balls: Divide the risen dough into 6 equal balls. Roll each dough ball into a long oval shape, about 1/2 inch thick.
  7. Fill Pide with Cheese: Place shredded Turkish kasar or mozzarella cheese, 3 tablespoons of cream cheese, Turkish spice blend (if using), and diced chiles in the center of each oval, leaving a 3/4 inch border. Fold the sides up and pinch to seal, forming a long oval boat shape. Turn the pide over and gently press to flatten slightly.
  8. Coat with Molasses and Seeds: Dip each shaped pide into the molasses water, then coat thoroughly with toasted sesame seeds.
  9. Slice and Top Pide: Place each coated pide on the prepared baking tray. Using a sharp knife, make a deep, long cut down the center of the dough, leaving 1/2 inch on both ends uncut. Open the slice to expose the filling, flatten slightly, and top with more cheese, Turkish seasoning, or chiles as desired.
  10. Bake Pide: Bake on the oven’s bottom rack for 10-12 minutes. Then move to the top rack and bake for another 3-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  11. Prepare Spinach Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent, then add spinach leaves, dill, parsley, salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook until spinach wilts, then stir in crumbled feta cheese. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
  12. Prepare Meat Filling: In another skillet over medium heat, sauté diced onion until golden, about 4-5 minutes. Add ground lamb or beef, pine nuts, cumin, Turkish spice blend (optional), kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the meat is browned and cooked through, stirring to break up any clumps. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Notes

  • Optional powdered milk or dough conditioner helps improve dough texture but can be omitted.
  • Molasses can be substituted by pomegranate molasses for a tangier, traditional flavor.
  • Use nigella seeds along with sesame seeds for an extra aromatic touch if desired.
  • Fillings can be customized; try combining cheese, spinach, or meat fillings for variety.
  • Ensure water is lukewarm to properly activate yeast, not hot or cold.
  • Use a sharp knife for scoring the dough to avoid compressing the fillings.
  • Allow dough to fully rise for best texture and flavor development.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Bread / Flatbread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Turkish

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/turkish-pide-flatbread-pizza-with-cheese-spinach-and-ground-lamb-filling-recipe/