Pide - Turkish Flat Bread / Pizza

Step 1

Bloom yeast: Mix yeast with 2 tbsp warm water and sugar in a small bowl. Cover with cling wrap, leave for 10 minutes until foamy.

Step 2

Make dough: Mix together flour and salt in a large bowl or stand mixer bowl. Add the yeast mixture, olive oil and remaining 2/3 cups water. Mix together with a wooden spoon. Once the flour is mostly incorporated, switch to your hands and bring it together into a dough.

Step 3

Knead: Sprinkle work surface with 1 tbsp flour, then knead for 8 to 10 minutes by hand OR 3 minutes on speed 6 of a stand mixer. Dough is kneaded enough when it's smooth and does not break when stretched - see photos video for before/after comparison. (Note 8)

Step 4

Rise 1: Shape into a ball. Smear inside of used bowl with a bit of olive oil, place dough inside. Cover with cling wrap and rise in warm place for 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. (Note 9)

Step 5

Rise 2: Punch dough down to fully deflate, then divide into 2 equal pieces. Pull the sides down and tuck underneath so the top is smooth, underside is bunched up. Shape into ball and place on a lightly floured tray, smooth side up. Sprinkle surface with flour, then cover with damp tea towel. Rise 1 hour until doubled in size.

Step 6

Preheat oven to 240°C/465°F (220°C fan). Place shelf on the top and middle.

Step 7

Roll: Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface into an oval shape 40cm/16" long and 20cm/8" wide (widest point).

Step 8

Prepare 2 trays: Sprinkle 1/4 tsp semolina on each tray, 40cm/16" long and 15cm/6" wide. (Note 10)

Step 9

Top Pide: Place a rolled out dough on the semolina. Sprinkle with cheese, then sprinkle chosen Topping evenly across the surface, leaving a 2cm / 4/5" border all around.

Step 10

Fold dough: Brush the ends with water. Pinch ends together to seal then fold the sides of the pide in.

Step 11

Bake: Bake 15 minutes, switching trays halfway, until the crust is golden.

Step 12

Egg option: Bake pide for 10 minutes, then crack the egg on top and return to oven for 5 minutes. This applies to all Pide - egg can be added for any of them!

Step 13

Top & Serve: Sprinkle with toppings of choice. (Note 11 for combos I used). Cut into 3cm / 1.3" slices and serve!

Step 14

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onion for 3 minutes until translucent. Add spinach, cook until just wilted (add in batches if necessary). Stir in cumin, salt & pepper. Cool before using.

Step 15

Roughly chop, then turn the sausage into mince (ground meat) by using a Nutribullet or food processor.

Step 16

Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Cook garlic and onion for 3 minutes until soft. Add lamb and cook until it changes from pink to brown. Add tomato paste, Baharat, cumin, salt, pepper and cook for 3 minutes.

Step 17

Add capsicum, tomato and lemon juice, then cook over medium heat until most of the liquid evaporates (a couple of minutes usually, though depends on juiciness of tomato). Cool before using.