Print

Mediterranean Flatbread Pizza with Spiced Lamb, Chickpeas, and Feta Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.1 from 3 reviews

This Mediterranean Flatbread Pizza combines aromatic spices with tender ground lamb or beef, crispy chickpeas, tangy yogurt sauce, and creamy feta on a crispy, pan-fried flatbread base. It’s a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner inspired by Mediterranean flavors.

Ingredients

Spice Mixture

  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp sumac
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Meat Topping

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef or lamb
  • 2 tbsp spice mixture (from above)

Cilantro Oil

  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt

Lemon Yogurt Sauce

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of half a lemon (from 1 lemon)

Chickpeas

  • 15 oz canned chickpeas, drained and patted dry
  • 1 tbsp spice mixture (from above)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Assembly

  • 1 cup Mediterranean hummus (homemade or store bought)
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying dough and additional as needed)
  • 1 lb pizza dough (see note about homemade or store-bought dough)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Spice Mixture: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together the kosher salt, ground cumin, sesame seeds, black pepper, oregano, sweet paprika, sumac, and cayenne pepper. This spice blend will be used in different components of the dish.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground lamb or beef along with 2 tablespoons of the prepared spice mixture. Cook, breaking the meat into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet, cover with foil to keep warm, and set aside. Leave the oil and any browned bits in the skillet for next steps.
  3. Make Cilantro Oil: Using an immersion blender or food processor, puree the fresh cilantro with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt until smooth. Set this fragrant cilantro oil aside for drizzling later.
  4. Prepare Lemon Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and juice of half a lemon until well combined. Set aside for serving.
  5. Fry Chickpeas: Pat the drained chickpeas dry using paper towels. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet used previously over medium heat. Add the chickpeas and season with 1 tablespoon of the spice mixture. Fry the chickpeas until crispy and golden, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside. Meanwhile, preheat your oven’s broiler.
  6. Prepare Flatbreads: Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal portions. Using your hands, stretch and flatten each piece into an 8 to 10-inch rectangular shape. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet used for the chickpeas. Fry each flatbread for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with all dough pieces, adding more oil as needed.
  7. Assemble and Broil: Spread 2 tablespoons of Mediterranean hummus evenly over each fried flatbread. Top with the browned meat and crumble feta cheese on top. Place the flatbreads on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for about 1 minute, or until the cheese begins to melt and everything is warmed through.
  8. Final Touches and Serve: Remove the flatbreads from the broiler. Drizzle each with the lemon yogurt sauce and cilantro oil. Sprinkle the crispy fried chickpeas over the top. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the explosion of Mediterranean flavors.

Notes

  • For pizza dough, you can use your favorite homemade dough recipe or store-bought dough for convenience.
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper amount in the spice mixture to control the heat level to your preference.
  • If you don’t have an immersion blender, a regular food processor or blender will work fine for making the cilantro oil.
  • Frying the dough in a skillet gives it a crispy exterior contrasting with the soft toppings; do not skip this step for the best texture.

Find it online: https://cozyplatter.com/mediterranean-flatbread-pizza-with-spiced-lamb-chickpeas-and-feta-recipe/