Lahm Bi Ajeen/ Sfiha Recipe
Lahm Bi Ajeen (Sfiha) is a soft Middle Eastern flatbread topped with meat and spices. It makes a great street food, breakfast, delicious weeknight meal or an appetizer for your next get together!
Servings 10
Calories 335kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water divided
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 package 2 ¼ tsp Active Dry Yeast
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp dry powdered milk
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
Filling Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion finely diced
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tbsp pepper paste
- 2 tomatoes finely diced with seeds removed
- 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (Use code FF20 for 20% off)
- 1 tbsp 7 Spice
- ½ cup parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add ½ cup warm water, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 package yeast. Mix to combine, then set aside for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to rise.
- In a large bowl, add the 3 cups flour, 2 tbsp powdered milk, and 1 tsp salt and mix to combine.
- Once the yeast has risen, add the water/yeast mixture into the flour mixture along with ¼ cup olive oil.
- Use your hands or an electric stand mixer to knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until it comes together smoothly. Add the extra ½ cup of water gradually into the dough as you’re kneading. The dough should easily be able to be formed into a ball when you’re done. If it is too sticky, you can add a bit more flour.
- Grease a bowl with nonstick spray and add the dough into the bowl. Cover with a towel and place in a warm, dark place for an hour or until it doubles in size.
- While you are waiting, mix all of the filling ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.
- When the dough has doubled in size, remove the dish towel and begin assembling your Lahm Bi Ajeen (Sfiha). Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Portion the dough out into 10 equal portions. Flour a work surface and use a rolling pin to roll the dough out into circles about ¼" thick. Stab each circle with a fork a few times.
- Portion the filling out into 10 equal portions. Top the dough with the meat mixture, leaving a bit of dough around the edge (similar to a smaller pizza crust).
- Place the assembled Lahm Bi Ajeen (Sfiha) on 2-3 cookie sheets, and place in the oven for about 12-15 minutes, until the dough is completely cooked.
- Turn the oven to a high broil and place the cooked Sfiha/Lahm Bi Ajeen under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the meat is totally brown.
- Remove from the oven and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe researched using Amira’s Pantry, Hungry Paprikas and MoDaCook. Dough recipe from Amira’s Pantry.
- Dough: This recipe would be no good without the crispy, homemade dough. Making your own fresh dough like this calls for pantry staples to make and comes together so well. It’s the most time-consuming part of the recipe, but the sfiha dough is worth the wait.
- Pomegranate Molasses: If you’re shopping in a regular American supermarket you have probably never come across pomegranate molasses before, but it’s really an amazing ingredient. It’s essential in this recipe for providing a tangy sweetness to the meat mixture. It is also a useful ingredient for many marinades, salad dressings and even cocktails so once you have it one hand, keep experimenting! You can find it in most Middle Eastern grocery stores or on Amazon here.
- 7 Spice: Lebanese 7 Spice is a common mix of spices you can usually find in a Middle Eastern grocery store or even online. If you cannot find it, you can make your own. Mix equal parts allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, ground cloves, coriander, cumin and nutmeg.
- Pepper Paste: Red pepper paste can also be found in Middle Eastern stores or online.
- Ground Beef: Avoid extra lean. This recipe tastes best with a little bit of fat in the mixture. You could also use ground lamb if you like.
- Make sure your warm water is between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit while making your dough to best activate your yeast.
- The key with making the dough is to gradually add the water and test it using your fingers. If it's too moist, you can add more flour, a few tablespoons at a time, and if it's too dry, simply add a bit more water until you reach the right texture.
- Make sure your oven is nice and hot when you go to bake. Pre-heating will really benefit this recipe.
- Some people like to top their sfiha with pine nuts, red onions or even dried cranberries.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 417mg | Potassium: 317mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 725IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg