Ingredients
Lebanese Bread
- 1 x ~30cm/12" Lebanese bread (sub other thin flatbreads)
Spiced Chicken Mince Spread
- 125g / 4 oz chicken mince (ground chicken)
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Baharat spice mix (aka Lebanese 7 spice)
- 1/2 tsp paprika, sweet or smoked
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve for table salt)
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley or coriander/cilantro (optional, sub 1 tsp dried oregano)
- 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for cooking
Essential Toppings
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp Danish feta or goat's cheese, crumbled (or regular feta)
Optional Toppings
- Lemon juice, light drizzle
- Dried chili flakes / red pepper flakes
- ~1 tbsp toasted pine nuts, roughly chopped (sub pistachios, almonds, sesame seeds)
- 1 tsp finely chopped parsley or coriander/cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Use a large 30cm/12" non-stick pan. If the Lebanese bread doesn't fit, trim one side with scissors to fit without cutting both sides to prevent separation during cooking.
- Mix the Chicken Spread: In a bowl, combine chicken mince, tomato paste, Baharat spice mix, paprika, crushed garlic, salt, chopped herbs, and 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil. Stir well until thoroughly mixed.
- Spread the Meat Mixture: Evenly smear the chicken mixture across one side of the bread like peanut butter, creating a thin layer covering the whole surface.
- Cook Meat Side: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over high heat in the pan. Place the bread meat side down and cook for 90 seconds, pressing lightly to encourage browning and adhesion of the meat to the bread.
- Crisp the Bread Side: Flip the bread using tongs and cook the bread side for 90 seconds until golden and crispy. Reduce heat if it browns too quickly.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Transfer the cooked bread to a cutting board, sprinkle crumbled feta over the top, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and add optional toppings such as lemon juice, chili flakes, toasted nuts, and fresh herbs. Cut into 8 slices like a pizza and enjoy while hot.
Notes
- Lebanese Bread: Large 30cm/12" pita-style bread, thin and double-layered. Substitute with any thin flatbread or tortilla, adjusting spread quantity accordingly. Only trim one side of the bread for fitting.
- Meat: Chicken mince is used here for convenience and flavor, but lamb is traditional and also delicious. Other ground meats may be substituted.
- Baharat Spice Mix: A Middle Eastern blend heavy on allspice and cinnamon. Available at larger grocery stores or homemade using 1 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp cinnamon, 3/4 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp cumin, and 1/8 tsp each cloves and nutmeg.
- Toppings: Feta and olive oil are essential for authentic flavor balance. Optional toppings add texture and brightness; get creative with nuts, herbs, lemon, or chili flakes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Lebanese / Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
