Lahem Bajeen Food

LAHM BI AJEEN / SFIHA

Steps:

• Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, start by placing the flour, sugar, nigella seeds and salt into the mixing bowl and mix on low for a few seconds to combine.
• Meanwhile place the instant yeast in a bowl with 1 cup of warm water (from the 3 cups total) and allow to dissolve (make sure the water is not really hot).
• Add the oil to the dry ingredients and combine on medium speed, until the oil is fully incorporated, which should take a few minutes.
• Then add the water and yeast mixture and continue to mix on medium speed.
• Slowly and gradually add the yogurt plus the 2 remaining cups of water and continue to knead for at least 5 to 7 minutes.
• The dough is ready when it feels moist but not too sticky and starts to come away from the bowl. If it feels dry add a bit more water and if it's too moist add a bit of flour. A moist dough will yield a soft texture which is what you're looking for.
• Using oil, bring the dough together into a ball, cover with cling film and a tea towel and allow it to rise for at least an hour.
• Pro tip: To cut down the time for the dough to rise, fill a mug with water and heat it in the microwave until it starts to steam. Turn off the microwave, keep the mug inside and place your dough inside and close the door. This will create a moist environment and allow the dough to rise faster!
• Preheat your oven to 450F and start by finely dicing the onion and parsley.
• Then combine all the ingredients under "for the filing" together and mix very well by hand. To try it and adjust seasoning you can cook off a small piece and taste.
• Once mixture is well combined and the dough has risen, start by rolling out the dough either into medium sized circular shapes (as pictured) or for a faster option, roll to the size of a large rectangular sheet.
• Make sure you roll dough using a lightly floured surface and rolling pin to a really thin layer.
• Lightly flour the pans and lay the dough on the pan carefully.
• Spoon the meat mixture on the dough and spread into a thin layer using your hands, ensuring you go all the way up to the edges, and ensuring the filing layer is not too thick.
• Place it in the oven at 450F on bake for approx 7-10 mins. Watch closely and check for when the bottom is cooked through, then transfer to top rack to broil for 5-7 minutes until the meat is fully cooked.
• Enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a cup of tea!

LEBANESE LAHM BI AJEEN MEAT PIES SFEEHA RECIPE - LAHM BI AJEEN - LAHMACUN

Steps:

• To save time, you could substitute with fresh thin-crust pizza dough. But if you're more adventurous, here's how to make this simple dough from scratch.
• Melt the yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water along with a tiny bit of sugar (1/8th of a teaspoon)
• Add all dough ingredients to your food processor, and let it knead for a few minutes until you get a dough. Alternatively you could also knead by hand by mixing all ingredients in a bowl.
• Let the dough rest for 20 minutes as you now prepare the meat fillings.
• Preheat oven to 500-520 degrees F
• Once dough is ready, make it into rounds of 8 inches in diameter and 1/3 inch thick
• Place dough on baking tray that has had some flour sprinkled on
• Spread 3-4 tablespoons of meat topping evenly on every dough
• Bake for about 10 minutes or until dough turns a bit golden. You could also end it with a 2-minute broil on High.

LAHEM B'AGEEN (MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE PIZZA)

Steps:

• First make the pizza bases. Put the yeast and sugar in a small bowl with the warm water.
• Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre, add the oil and pour the yeast mixture into the well.
• Mix to a dough, then knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and leave to rest in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
• Put the lamb, onion and spices in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, peppers and pine nuts. Stir with a fork until evenly mixed.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F
• Mix the cilantro into the risen dough. Divide into small balls.
• Roll out each ball into a circle. Spread some of the lamb mixture on each pizza base.
• Arrange on an oiled baking tray, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
• Serve warm with arugula salad.

LAHMA BAJEEN - MEAT PIES

Steps:

• Dough:.
• Dissolve the sugar in the ¼ cup water. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let ferment and bubble.
• In a large bowl combine the yeast, flour, salt, olive oil, egg, and warm milk. Knead until a soft dough is formed. Dough will be slightly sticky, so always make sure your hands have a little olive oil on them.
• Lightly grease the same bowl with olive oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with a clean cloth and leave in a warm dry place for at least 2 hours, until doubled.
• Meat Filling :.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground lamb or beef and stir and cook until the meat is crumbly and it is no longer pink.
• Stir in the chopped onion and cook, stirring until the onion is soft , about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the pine nuts and all of the spices and seasonings. Stir and cook for one minute. Add the chopped tomatoes.
• Cover the skillet , reduce the heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes until the tomato is soft.
• Remove from heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice.
• The mixture should not be watery but it should be moist. Set aside to cool.
• Assembly:.
• Take fist-fulls of the dough and on a floured surface roll out into small balls. Let rest for 5 minutes. Flatten each dough ball into 4" disc, about ½" thick.
• Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and top with meat. Repeat with remaining dough and meat.
• Bake until golden brown, about 18-20 minutes. Serve warm.
• Best way to eat: Serve hot out of the oven or warm with fresh lemon or plain yogurt.

LAHEM B'AJEEN

Steps:

• Pour packet of yeast into a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup of warm water, then stir in the sugar. Let sit in a warm place for 10 minutes, until the top is foamy. Add the oil, and gently stir.
• Mix flour and salt together by sifting into a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture. Mix again. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water and mix until it is too difficult to stir. Then begin to knead the dough with your hands until it forms a sticky ball. Place the ball of dough on a lightly floured, preferably wooden, surface and knead a good 15 minutes until it is soft and elastic. If needed sprinkle surface with *small* amounts of flour to prevent sticking.
• Place dough in a clean large bowl and cover with a towel. Allow to sit in a warm place until doubled in size, about an hour.
• Put the ground meat in a large bowl and add the oil. Blend the two together by mashing with a fork. Add the remaining topping ingredients, except the pine nuts, and continue to mash with the fork.
• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Punch down the dough and divide it into four equal balls. Working with one ball at a time, roll the dough out on a floured work surface with a floured rolling pin until it is about 1/16" thick. Using an empty inverted 1 lb coffee can, cut out individual circles of dough and place them on a lightly oiled baking sheet.
• Spread a heaping tablespoonful of the meat evenly over each circle of dough, spreading close to the edge and press down firmly with a fork to flatten it. Sprinkle with 1 tsp pine nuts.
• Place sheet into a hot oven on the lowest rack for 10 minutes. Transfer to the top rack for 15 minutes.