Balkan Treat Box's Cauliflower Lahmacun


cauliflower lahmacun from balkan treat box in webster groves
cauliflower lahmacun from balkan treat box photo by carmen troesser

“This is a vegetarian/vegan version of a classic lahmacun with a healthy, meat-free twist that we serve at Balkan Treat Box.” – Loryn Nalic


Ingredients

  • ½ head cauliflower
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ red bell pepper, chopped
  • 5 sprigs parsley, plus more for garnish
  • Leaves from 5 sprigs mint, plus more for garnish
  • ¼ cup red pepper paste or tomato paste
  • 3 Tbsp. butter, melted and browned
  • 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • ½ tsp. Aleppo pepper or red chile flake
  • ½ tsp. smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp. cayenne
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 pitas
  • 1 Tbsp. sumac, plus more to taste
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Strained full-fat yogurt, for serving


Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Cut the cauliflower into florets, reserving thick stems for another use.
• In a food processor, pulse the cauliflower until it resembles couscous, about 30 seconds. Add about half the sliced onion, the red bell pepper, parsley, mint, red pepper paste, browned butter, garlic, cumin, Aleppo pepper, paprika, cayenne, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Pulse until combined, finely chopped and slightly tacky. Season with more salt and pepper, to taste.
• Spread about ¼ cup cauliflower mixture over each pita so it thinly and evenly covers the surface all the way to the edge. Arrange pitas on a baking sheet and bake until browned, 7 to 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, toss the remaining onion with the sumac until tinted red, season lightly with salt and more sumac, to taste.
• Garnish with more fresh herbs and serve alongside the sumac onions, yogurt and lemon wedges. Cauliflower lahmacun can be served hot or at room temperature.