Pide – Turkish Pizza
Pide is a traditional Turkish dish sometimes referred to as "Turkish pizza," although it’s quite different in style and preparation. It consists of a thin, elongated dough that’s shaped like a boat or oval and topped with a variety of ingredients like minced meat (usually lamb or beef), vegetables, cheese, and sometimes eggs. The toppings are often seasoned with Turkish spices such as cumin, paprika, and parsley, which enhances its unique flavour.
Pide is baked in a very hot oven, resulting in a crispy crust with soft, flavorful toppings. It's typically served in slices, and you can find it in many variations, from simple cheese pide to more elaborate ones with different meats and vegetables. It’s a beloved street food in Turkey, often eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and is perfect for sharing.
How its made
To make Pide, you start by preparing a soft, elastic dough that’s rolled out into an oval or boat shape. The dough is typically brushed with olive oil before being topped with a variety of fillings. Classic toppings include seasoned minced meat (often lamb or beef), sautéed vegetables, and a generous sprinkle of cheese. The toppings are carefully arranged on the dough, leaving a border of dough around the edges. Some versions also feature an egg cracked in the center before baking.
Once assembled, the Pide is baked in a very hot oven until the crust is golden and crispy, while the toppings are perfectly cooked. The result is a deliciously savory dish with a tender, slightly chewy center and a crispy exterior.
Pide, often called Turkish pizza, features a crispy, boat-shaped dough topped with a variety of ingredients like seasoned minced meat, cheese, and vegetables. Baked to crispy golden perfection, this savory dish is perfect for sharing.
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3 cups flour (All-purpose)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb. Ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1/2 green bell pepper
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 bunch of parsley
- 1 tbsp tomato red pepper paste
- 1/2 tomato
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Mozzarella cheese
- Akawai cheese
- Sujuk (sausage meat)
- Shishito peppers
- 1 egg
- Sesame seeds & black seeds (optional)
- Cornmeal
- 2-3 tbsp Melted butter
- Fresh parsley (garnish)
- Preheat the oven to 495°F (255°C).
- Bloom the yeast in warm water and leave for 5 minutes.
- In a stand mixer or large bowl, combine flour, salt, yeast-water mixture, and olive oil. Mix until a smooth dough forms (about 5 minutes), then knead to shape into ball. If mixing by hand, knead for about 10 minutes. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Once rested, divide the dough into 8 equal parts. Shape each part into a ball and cover again. Let the dough balls rest for 30 to 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
- In a food processor, grind onions, bell peppers, and parsley until finely chopped. Add the ground veggies to a bowl with ground beef and mix. Add in tomato red pepper paste, finely chopped tomato, paprika, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Mix until combined.
- For the second topping, combine mozzarella and akawi cheese in a bowl.
- On a floured surface, roll each dough ball into a thin, long oval shape.
- To make the lahmacun version, place a large dollop of the the meat mixture in the middle of the rolled out dough. Gently press on the meat to spread it all over making sure to leave about 1" gap around the edges.
- For the second version, spread the mozzarella and akaowi cheese mix, then top with sojuk and shishito peppers.
- Pinch the ends of the long oval dough together to form a boat shape, then fold over the remaining edges to encase the filling.
- Brush the folded edges of the pide with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds and black seeds (optional).
Use a thin cutting board lined with alluminum foil to slide under the assembled pide and transfer to baking tray placed at the very bottom of the oven. Place the assembled pide onto the hot baking tray. Bake for 8 to 14 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy. If baking at a higher temperature, reduce the baking time.
Once baked, brush the edges with melted butter for a golden, glossy finish. Slice the pide and serve hot.