Mince Pide

Start off by preparing the dough. Add the all purpose flour to a mixing bowl.

To the flour, add in the yeast.

Then add in the salt.

Thereafter, add in the sugar.

Mix well.

Next, pour in the warm water.

Mix well until a dough forms.

Place the dough onto a counter top.

Knead the dough for 7 minutes until soft.

Place the kneaded dough into a bowl, lather it with some oil so that it doesn’t dry up & crack.

Cover the bowl with cling wrap or a damp towel & set in a dark place to rise. I usually put this to rest in a oven – with the oven being off.

Peel & chop the onion.

Rinse & dice the tomato.

Chop up the dhania (coriander).

Heat the vegetable oil in a pot. Once the oil is hot, drop in the onions.

Next, add in the mince (ground beef/lamb).

Mix well & allow to simmer until the mince has browned (±5 minutes).

Next, it’s time for the spices. Add in the jeera (cumin) powder, 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes, garlic powder, Za’ataar blend, chilli powder, ground black pepper, salt to taste & the ginger & garlic paste.

Mix well.

Add in the diced tomato.

Mix well.

Allow to cook until tomatoes are soft & almost melted.

Once the tomatoes have cooked, turn off the heat & add in the chopped dhania (coriander).

Mix well & set aside.

After 1 hour of resting the dough, it should have doubled in size.

Grate the gouda & mozzarella cheeses & set aside.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper or wax paper & lightly spray with cooking oil.

Place the dough onto a lightly floured counter top.

Roll the dough into a log like shape.

Cut the dough into 6 equal sections.

Work with one section of the dough at a time.

Using a rolling pin, roll the section of dough into a rectangular shape.

Continue the process for the remaining sections of dough.

Working with of the rectangular doughs at a time, fill the middle part of the dough with the cooked mince.

Fold either ends of the dough slightly onto the mince & then twist the ends creating a boat. The mince should be exposed.

Do the same for however many can fit into your baking tray. Mine only catered for 3 at a time. Carefully carry the dough over onto your baking tray, leaving spaces between each one.

Top with some of the gouda & mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven at 180° Celsius.

Fill & fold the next set that is remaining & bake just as you did the previous ones.

Melt the butter in a microwave.

Place the baked Mince Pide’s onto a board or plate.

Brush the dough parts of the baked Mince Pide’s with the melted butter. Garnish with the remaining red chilli flakes, feta cheese & dried or fresh parsley.

This Mince Pide is best eaten whilst hot.

Notice how this pizza holds the topping together in a similar shape to that of a boat.

Goes well with Turkish Coffee.

Reheat Mince Pide in the microwave.