Spiced Middle Eastern Flatbreads
Delight in these savory Middle Eastern Flatbreads, bursting with warm spices, nutty textures, and vibrant greens, all resting upon a crisp homemade pastry. This fusion of flavors, featuring a choice of succulent beef, chicken, or lamb, is complemented by the freshness of spinach and the gentle crunch of pine nuts. Finished with a cooling dollop of tzatziki, it’s an exotic culinary journey perfect for lunch or a tasty snack.
4
Servings
500
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
self-raising flour
1 1/2 cups (sifted)
egg
1 (beaten)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (divided)
milk
1/2 cup (none)
onion
1 cup (chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
ground beef or ground chicken
300 g (none)
pine nuts
50 g (toasted)
tomato paste
140 g (none)
cumin
1 teaspoon (ground)
sumac
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
baby spinach leaves
250 g (washed)
egg
1 (beaten for brushing)
tzatziki
as needed (to serve)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, sift the self-raising flour. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg, olive oil (1 tablespoon), and milk until well combined. Gradually stir this mixture into the flour to form a soft dough. Turn out the dough onto a floured board and knead it lightly into a ball. Wrap it in cling film and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
2
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
3
Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a medium-sized non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions are translucent. Add the ground beef (or chicken/lamb) and cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned.
4
Stir in the toasted pine nuts, tomato paste, cumin, sumac, and cinnamon. Add the baby spinach leaves and cook gently for 1-2 minutes until the spinach has wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
5
Divide the refrigerated dough into 4 equal parts. Roll each portion out into an oval shape measuring approximately 30cm x 17cm on a floured surface.
6
Evenly distribute the meat mixture onto each dough oval, leaving a 2.5 cm border. Fold the edges of the dough over slightly to enclose the filling, twisting the pastry ends to seal.
7
Brush the edges of the folded pastry with beaten egg. Place the prepared flatbreads onto a lightly greased baking tray.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
9
Serve with dollops of tzatziki for a refreshing contrast.
Nutrition Information
50g
Carbs
25g
Protein
5g
Fiber
5g
Sugar
750mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spiced Middle Eastern Flatbreads?
They are savory flatbreads featuring a homemade pastry topped with a blend of spiced meat, pine nuts, and spinach, served with tzatziki.
What type of flour is used for the dough?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of sifted self-raising flour.
How long should the dough be refrigerated?
After kneading the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling film and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) before baking the flatbreads.
Which proteins can I use for the filling?
You can use ground beef, ground chicken, or ground lamb.
What spices provide the Middle Eastern flavor profile?
The filling is seasoned with ground cumin, sumac, and cinnamon.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What are the dimensions for rolling out the dough?
Divide the dough into 4 parts and roll each into an oval measuring approximately 30cm x 17cm.
How long do the flatbreads need to bake?
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 500 calories.
What should I serve with these flatbreads?
They are best served with refreshing dollops of tzatziki.
Do I need to toast the pine nuts?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 50g of toasted pine nuts for a crunchy texture.
How much spinach is needed for the recipe?
You will need 250g of washed baby spinach leaves.
What is the purpose of the second egg in the ingredient list?
One egg is used in the dough mixture, while the second is beaten and used to brush the pastry edges before baking.
How much garlic is included in the filling?
The recipe calls for 4 minced garlic cloves.
How do you seal the flatbreads?
Fold the edges of the dough over the filling and twist the pastry ends to seal them.
What is the nutritional content for carbohydrates and protein?
Each serving contains 50g of carbohydrates and 25g of protein.
Is there a specific border size to leave when filling the dough?
Yes, leave a 2.5 cm border around the meat mixture before folding.
What role does the tomato paste play?
The 140g of tomato paste adds richness and binds the meat and spice mixture together.
Can these flatbreads be eaten as a snack?
Yes, they are categorized as perfect for lunch or a tasty snack.
What is sumac?
Sumac is a tangy, purple spice common in Middle Eastern cooking that adds a lemony flavor.
How much olive oil is required in total?
Two tablespoons are used in total: one for the dough and one for sautéing.
How much milk is used in the dough?
The dough requires 1/2 cup of milk.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 distinct ingredients listed for this dish.
What is the fiber content per serving?
There is 5g of fiber per serving.
What is the sodium content per serving?
One serving contains 750mg of sodium.
Is the onion chopped or sliced?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped onion.
How long do you cook the meat before adding spices?
Cook the ground meat for 3-4 minutes until it is lightly browned.
When do you add the spinach to the filling?
The spinach is added after the spices and tomato paste, and cooked for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
Should the flour be sifted?
Yes, the self-raising flour should be sifted into the mixing bowl.