Serves 6
In Iran this popular dish is made with Barbari flatbread, named for the Barbar people in Persia. You can prepare these flatbreads on a grill, griddle, or under a broil. Wherever they are, watch them carefully. After cooking, the bread is topped with ground beef patties, a sprinkle of the popular Middle Eastern spice sumac, a red powder that tastes lemony, and garnished with fresh basil and mint.
FLATBREADS
| 1 | package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast |
| 1 1/2 | cups warm water |
| 3 | cups flour |
| 1 | teaspoon baking powder |
| 1 | teaspoon salt |
| Extra flour (for sprinkling) | |
| 2 | tablespoons sesame seeds or poppy seeds, or more to taste (for topping) |
| Olive oil (for brushing) |
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water. Let it stand for 3 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Pour the yeast mixture and the remaining 1 cup water into the center of the flour. With a wooden spoon, stir to form a loose dough.
4. Sprinkle the counter with flour. Sprinkle more flour on a baking sheet. Turn out the dough on the counter. Knead it for 15 minutes, adding more flour if it becomes sticky, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
5. Divide the dough in half, then shape each into a ball. Place on the baking sheet, leaving room between the pieces. Cover loosely with parchment paper. Set aside in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in bulk.
6. Turn on the broiler. Generously flour the counter and a rolling pin. Divide each ball of dough into 3 pieces (to total 6). Roll each as thinly as possible to a 6-inch diameter round. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, then press them into the bread with the rolling pin or your hand. Brush each lightly with oil. Broil about 4 minutes, turning once, or until golden.
BEEF
| 1 | pound ground beef (preferably 85 percent lean) |
| 1 | egg, lightly beaten |
| 1 | small onion, grated |
| 1/4 | cup chopped fresh parsley |
| 1 1/2 | teaspoons turmeric |
| 1 1/4 | teaspoons ground cinnamon |
| 1 | teaspoon salt |
| 1 1/4 | teaspoons pepper |
| 1/2 | teaspoon baking powder |
| Sumac (for sprinkling, optional) | |
| 1 | red onion, thinly sliced |
| 18 | fresh basil leaves |
| 18 | fresh mint leaves |
1. Turn on the broiler.
2. In a bowl, mix the beef, egg, grated onion, parsley, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and baking powder.
3. Place a small bowl of water near you. Wet your hands and place about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture in the palm of one hand. Roll it into a ball, then flatten it to the length of your hand. Place on a plate and use your fingers to lightly dimple the surface. Wet your hands again and repeat until you form 6 patties, each about 4 inches by 1/2 inch.
4. Set the patties on a broiler pan. Broil for 3 minutes on a side or until cooked through.
5. Place a flatbread on each of 6 plates, add a meat patty, sprinkle with sumac, add red onion, basil, and mint. Roll up.
Adapted from Conflict Kitchen 
