Lahmajoun Armenian Pizza Shortcut Recipes

LAHMAJOON (ARMENIAN PIZZA)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. , Place tortillas on greased baking sheets. Spread 1/4 cup of meat mixture onto each tortilla to within 1/2 in. of edges (tortillas will not be completely covered). Bake at 425° for 9-12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink and edges of tortillas begin to brown.

LAHMAJOUN (ARMENIAN "PIZZA") SHORTCUT

Steps:

• To save time, process the onion, peppers, and parsley in a food processor, using the metal "S" blade. Squeeze out any excess liquid - this is VERY important! Be careful not to over-process. Vegetables should still be a bit chunky, not pureed.
• In a large bowl, combine all of the topping ingredients, mixing well.
• Preheat oven to 400° - 425°F.
• Thinly spread about 3 Tbsp. of meat topping on the suface of each tortilla, spreading to the edge.
• Place 2 to 3 tortillas on each baking tray. They should not overlap each other.
• Bake on the lower rack for about 5 minutes, then on the upper rack, for another 5 minutes, or until the meat topping has browned, and the edges of the tortilla are golden.
• Continue this procedure until topping and/or tortillas are all used.

LAHMAHJOON (ARMENIAN PIZZA)

Steps:

• Place ground lamb in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and break into small pieces until mostly browned. Drain any excess grease. Add the onion, green pepper, and garlic. Cook until onion is translucent. Stir in diced tomatoes and tomato paste, then season with parsley, basil, mint, cumin, and if using, cayenne. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and refrigerate overnight to blend the flavors.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Distribute the lamb mixture evenly over the tortillas, and spread out to the edges. Place the tortillas onto a baking sheet.
• Bake for about 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven and place the lahmahjoons onto a large piece of aluminum foil so that two of them are meat side to meat side, then stack the pairs together, and bring the foil up over the top to keep warm. These can be served hot or cold. Cut into small wedges.

ARMENIAN PIZZA - LAHMAJOUN

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except tortillas together in a large bowl.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Spread meat mixture thinly on each tortilla.
• Bake on large cookie sheets at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

ARMENIAN PIZZA (AKA LAHMAJOON)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Pulse the garlic in a food processor to mince it. Add the onion and pulse to chop, then add the green pepper and pulse to chop. Add the lamb, tomato paste, tomatoes, parsley, cumin, cayenne, and salt and pepper; process until everything is very well chopped. The consistency should be wet and pasty, like hummus. Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture onto flour tortillas all the way to the edge. Bake directly on the oven rack for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are browned and the meat is cooked through. If the tortilla begins to inflate in the oven, pop it with a fork from the top. To serve, squeeze some lemon over the top, fold the pizza into quarters, and eat out of hand.

FOREVERMAMA'S ARMENIAN LAHMAJOUN PIZZA'S

Steps:

• Heat skillet over medium-high heat, add lamb or combination of lamb and beef to hot skillet. Cook to almost through, breaking up pieces.
• Place meat mixture into a sieve to drain fat.
• To same skillet that beef was cooked in, add oil. To hot skillet add the onions and bell peppers. Stir and cook until onion is translucent and bell peppers are almost browned. Add garlic and cook through until just gold and flavor has been imparted, being careful not to burn garlic. Add drained meat mixture and mix through.
• Stir in can of diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Add cilantro, basil, mint and all remaining spices. Simmer until it is thickened but not too dry.
• Remove from heat, cool. To meld flavors, it is best to store in refrigerator overnight. I have also used it on the pizza's without the overnight refrigeration.
• Divide each 1 lb dough into 4 equal parts. Roll dough to a 6 - 8 " diameter pizza round. Place dough rounds on greased cookie sheets or stones. Dust with cornmeal or flour.
• Preheat the oven to 425-degrees-Farhrenheit.
• Distribute meat mixture evenly over dough, spreading to the edges.
• Bake for 15 -20 minutes or until cooked through.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.
• These are great with a sprinkling of lemon juice after they've been baked. In Armenia it is typical to top with salad (I like it with arugula) and folding the dough over to form a pocket. My husband's family also tops with sliced American or muenster cheese (after it is baked), folding the dough over taco-style.