Armenian Lahmajun
What’s a Lahmajun?
Lahmajun is one of the staple meals ofArmenia and it is often described as the Armenian or Middle-Eastern analogue to the Pizza. However, a Lahmajun has a very thin crust, and is topped with a meat sauce topping, usually lamb or beef-based, that is cooked with tomato and Middle Eastern spices..
Armenia is a mountainous country in Eurasia between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea in the Southern Caucasus. It borders Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and the Nakhchivanexclave of Azerbaijan to the south. A transcontinental country at the juncture of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Armenia has had and continues to have extensive sociopolitical and cultural connections with Europe.
Armenia is a democraticnation-state with an ancient and historic cultural heritage. The Kingdom of Armenia was the first state to adopt Christianity as its religion in the early years of the 4th century (the traditional date is 301). The modern Republic of Armenia is constitutionally a secular state, although the Christian faith plays a major role in the history and identification of the Armenian people.
This country which is so far away has a lot of common with my country Cyprus as well as with Greece. Armenia is a country which has suffered a lot and its people had to leave their home country and immigrate all over the world after the Armenian genocide. Cyprus, as well as Greece were among those countries who accepted refugees and the Greek Armenians now constitute a small community in our country.
I got to know about Lahmajun from my mother, who had learned it from Armenian friends. This is so tasteful and much healthier than pizza (considering all the fat from cheese, etc.) and finally it is so easy to make. This is my entry for the event Π Day- Homemade Pies, hosted by Kitchen Parade.
The recipe is included in Part II of my e-book Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!
Ivy, this looks and sounds wonderful. I'm happy to always be introduced to new dishes( and eventually try them).
We have a large Armenian community here and in Montreal they even have a mounument in remembrance of the genocide.
Lovely! Thanks so much for the contribution, Ivy. I'm so glad to know that we'll have at least one savory pie.
Thanks Alanna, I am looking forward to seeing and learning lots of new recipe pies.
Thanks for sharing this history background and the dish too! It looks so good!!! I'm bookmarking it as an alternative to pizza (I liked the part when you say that we avoid the cheese grease)!!!
Don't get me wrong, it's not as if I don't like pizza, I adore it, but it's a healthier solution.
This sounds really good Ivy. I had a few Armenian friends in high school - I always loved their food!
Nice and spicy!
This is such a great post, Ivy. I'm new to Lahmajun and quite fascinated by it. It's also great to have a savory pie recipe for my recipe book. You don't find that many good ones out there. So thanks!
My brother in law made something similar for gatherings. I am so glad that you posted the recipe Ivy so that i can duplicate it 😀
I am glad you liked it Susan. Good luck with you recipe book.
Your are always welcome Val.
Looks and sounds delicious. I've had lahmajun once at a restaurant, and I loved it; I'll have to try making it myself now. It's also the subject of one of my favorite poems. Here's a link to the poem, if you're interested in reading it. Happy Pi Day!
It was beautiful. I wish I knew it then, I would have put a link to my post. I left a message to Lola and I hope she will see the recipe as well.
What a great entry~ I love the historical and cultural tie-in. This is definitely something I would enjoy- it looks fantastic!
Hi Tempered Woman and thanks for passing by.