Middle Eastern Meat Melt Pie (Lahmacun-style Hand Pie)
A savory, aromatic Middle Eastern pastry featuring a spiced ground meat filling encased in a golden, crispy crust.
Ingredients
- •1 lb (450g) ground beef (15% fat)
- •1 large onion, finely grated
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
- •1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1 teaspoon ground allspice
- •1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- •1 tablespoon tomato paste
- •1 package (16 oz) store-bought puff pastry, thawed
- •2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- •1/2 teaspoon salt
- •1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, tomato paste, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- 3
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into four equal squares or rectangles.
- 4
Place a generous portion of the meat mixture in the center of each pastry square, leaving a small border around the edges.
- 5
Fold the edges of the pastry over the meat, pinching the corners to create a rustic, open-faced or partially enclosed pie shape.
- 6
Brush the exposed pastry edges with the beaten egg to ensure a golden finish.
- 7
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and the meat is fully cooked through.
- 8
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- For a deeper flavor, toast the spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding them to the meat mixture.
- You can prepare the meat filling up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated, but assemble the pies just before baking to prevent the pastry from getting soggy.
- Serve with a side of fresh lemon wedges and a crisp cucumber-tomato salad to cut through the richness of the meat.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished pie features a shatteringly crisp, golden crust that gives way to a juicy, deeply spiced meat center with a fragrant aroma of allspice and toasted cumin.