Lahm Bi Ajin – Middle Eastern Meat Pies Recipe

Lahm Bi Ajin is a thin bread topped with seasoned ground meat. It is made with simple ingredients like flour, meat, onion, tomato, parsley, and spices. The bread is rolled thin, covered with the meat mix, and baked until the meat is done and the edges are crisp. It is easy to make at home and can be served for lunch, dinner, or as a light snack.

Ingredients

For the Bread

• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 cup warm water

For the Meat Topping

• 1 lb ground beef or lamb
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil

Lahm Bi Ajin Preparation

Put the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a bowl.

Add the warm water and oil. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Knead the dough for about 5–7 minutes. It should feel soft and smooth.

Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for about 1 hour.

While the dough rests, prepare the meat topping.

Put the ground meat, onion, tomato, parsley, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, black pepper, salt, and oil in a bowl. Mix everything well.

When the dough has risen, divide it into small balls. Roll each ball into a thin round.

Spread a thin layer of the meat mix over each round. Cover most of the bread, but leave a small space around the edge.

Heat your oven before baking. If you are using a pita oven, make sure the oven is hot before you start baking.

Place the meat pies in the hot oven. Bake until the edges are lightly browned and the meat is fully cooked.

Tips for Lahm Bi Ajin

Keep the bread thin when you roll it. A thin layer of meat will cook faster and more evenly. Chop the onion and tomato into small pieces so they mix well with the meat.

Let the oven heat well before baking. A hot oven helps the bread cook fast and gives the edges a light, crisp texture.

You can use beef, lamb, or a mix of both. Add a little more parsley if you like a fresh taste.

Serve the meat pies while they are warm. Lemon, fresh vegetables, pickles, or plain yogurt are all good with them.

Final Note

Lahm Bi Ajin is best served fresh from the oven. Keep the bread thin, spread the meat in a light layer, and let the oven do the rest. With a few simple ingredients, you can make a warm and tasty Middle Eastern meal at home.