Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza)

Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza) by wanwu73 on Polyvore

My husband and I have had Lahmacun at a local Turkish restaurant and thought that it would be pretty easy to replicate.  The one we had was on a very thin, almost crackery flat bread, though many of the recipes I've found call for a pita.  On its surface was a simple ground meat and tomato paste topping.  On top of that, were sliced tomatoes, onion and lettuce.  We picked each slice up and folded it over and ate it like it was a taco.  Delicious!  I've replicated a quick vegan pizza using flour tortillas, which turned out perfectly.

Ingredients for each Lahmacun:

1 flour tortilla

1-2 tsp tomato paste

1/4 cup umami pate

1/4 tsp za'atar spice, or thyme or oregano*

Optional:

lettuce

tomato

onion 

Directions:

1. Turn broiler on to preheat.
2. Brush the tomato paste onto the tortilla.
3. Combine the pate and the spices.
4. Using your fingers press the umami paste into a thin layer on top of the tortilla.
5. Broil 2-3 minutes depending on your oven.  The sides of the tortilla should be crisp and brown.
6. Add the optional toppings as you desire. 

*Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice mixture containing sumac and a variety of other spices.  It has a slightly bitter taste that can be off putting if you aren't expecting it.  Each region has its own mixtures.  I found mine at local Middle Eastern store and have also seen in it Indian stores.  It is also good mixed with olive oil and spread on a pita and broiled for a couple of minutes.  A local Lebanese restaurant serves this, calling it simply, za'atar bread.