Lahmacun (Turkish Spiced Lamb Pita)

Name: Lahmacun (Turkish Spiced Lamb Pita)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Istanbul & Anatolian Heart
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 0.5 white onion; 1.5 tsp ground cumin; 1.5 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp paprika; 1 lb ground lamb; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp flat leaf parsley; 4 pita bread (12 inch); 0.25 cup flat leaf parsley; 0.25 cup chopped white onion; 0.25 cup tomatoes; 1 lemon

Grilled lamb, pita bread and coriander, warmed with cumin and paprika.

40 min · Serves 4 · Medium

Method

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Time: Prep 20 min · Cook 20 min · 40 min total
Difficulty: medium

1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, add the onions and cook until they are soft. Add the spices and ground lamb, cook until the meat is evenly browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
2
Stir in the tomato paste, salt and parsley, cook for another minute. Set aside to cool. Can be made ahead.
3
When ready to cook, heat a griddle or large cast iron pan very hot. To four pitas, divide lamb mixture and top each pita with mixture, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. One at a time, place on grill and heat for 5 minutes. Remove to plate.
5 min
4
Put 1/4 of the parsley, onions and tomatoes on the pita. Squeeze a lemon wedge over the top. Roll the pita up like a crepe. Wrap it in parchment to make it easier to eat or spear it with a toothpick to keep it closed.