Pide

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Pide is a popular and delicious Turkish dish that resembles a boat-shaped or oval-shaped flatbread, often referred to as “Turkish pizza.” It is typically topped with various ingredients, making it a versatile and satisfying meal or snack. Pide can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings, including meat, vegetables, and cheese. Here’s how to make a classic meat-filled pide:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• All-purpose flour: The base for the dough.
• Water: To form the dough.
• Yeast: Used to leaven the dough.
• Olive oil: Adds moisture and flavor to the dough.
• Salt: For seasoning.

For the Filling:

• Ground meat: A mixture of ground beef and lamb is traditionally used, but you can use one type or a combination of other meats.
• Onion: Finely chopped onions add flavor to the filling.
• Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes or tomato paste can be used to create a rich and flavorful base for the filling.
• Green bell peppers: Chopped green bell peppers provide a fresh and slightly sweet flavor.
• Spices: Common seasonings include black pepper, red pepper flakes, paprika, and ground cumin.
• Salt: For seasoning.
• Fresh herbs: Chopped fresh parsley is typically added for freshness.

Preparation:

Here’s how to make a classic meat-filled pide:

For the Dough:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, and olive oil.
2. Gradually add water to the dry ingredients while mixing to form a soft, elastic dough.
3. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rest for about 30 minutes to an hour, allowing it to rise and double in size.

For the Filling:

1. While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. In a skillet, sauté finely chopped onions in olive oil until they become translucent.
2. Add the ground meat and cook until it’s browned, breaking it apart into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
3. Stir in diced or crushed tomatoes, chopped green bell peppers, spices (black pepper, red pepper flakes, paprika, and ground cumin), and salt. Cook until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld together.
4. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in fresh chopped parsley.

Assembling and Baking the Pide:

1. Preheat your oven to around 450°F (230°C). Place a baking stone or baking sheet in the oven to heat.
2. Divide the dough into individual portions, usually making oval or boat-shaped pieces.
3. Roll out each portion of dough into an oval or boat-shaped flatbread.
4. Place the rolled-out dough on the hot baking stone or baking sheet.
5. Spoon the meat and vegetable filling evenly onto each pide.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pide is golden brown and the edges are slightly crispy.
7. Remove from the oven, and serve the pide hot.

Pide is a delightful Turkish dish known for its crispy yet soft crust and flavorful fillings. It’s often enjoyed as a hearty meal or a snack, and there are various regional and personal variations of this dish, with different toppings and ingredients to suit your preferences.