Ingredients

  • Jamilahs Basic Dough
  • 1 egg
  • 1 (7 g) packet dry active yeast
  • 1/4 cup war water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/4 cups warm milk
  • Meat Filling
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb fresh coarsely ground lamb, and or 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped fine
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • salt
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, sauteed in butter (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chopped tomato
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • extra olive oil

Method

  • Dough:
  • Dissolve the sugar in the 1/4 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 1/2" 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.