SPICED MEAT PIES (LAHMEJUN)

SPICED MEAT PIES (LAHMEJUN) image

Yield 2 dozen pies

Number Of Ingredients 15

For the dough (see note)*:
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, more for oiling pans
For the topping:
1 pound ground beef (not more than 85 percent lean)
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 onion, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice
1 tablespoon tamarind paste (available at Middle Eastern and Indian markets)
2 tablespoons pine nuts
Lemon wedges and coarse salt for sprinkling on top.

Steps:

1. To make dough: Combine yeast and 2 tablespoons warm water and set aside for 5 minutes. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl; add oil, yeast mixture and a scant 1/2 cup warm water. Mix, using hands if necessary, until dough comes together: it should be elastic but not sticky. If needed, add a little more flour or water. Turn out onto a board (no need to flour it) and knead until soft and smooth, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place 1 hour. 2. When dough has risen, combine all ingredients for topping in a bowl. Divide dough in two and roll out on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut 3-inch rounds with a water glass or cookie cutter, stacking them between layers of wax paper. Roll and cut remaining dough. 3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread a heaping tablespoon of meat mixture on each dough round, spreading all the way to the edge: meat mixture will shrink during baking. (Once assembled, pies can be frozen, stacked in wax paper, and then baked directly from freezer.) Arrange pies on 2 lightly oiled baking sheets. Bake 20 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking. Serve hot, sprinkled with lemon juice and coarse salt. *Note: Refrigerated pizza dough or dough from a pizzeria will work well in this recipe. Some Middle Eastern markets also stock frozen mini pastry rounds.