Arabic recipesMain dishes
Toshka: Crispy Syrian Grilled Pita with Spiced Meat & Melted Cheese
Toshka is a street-food and grill-house favourite from Aleppo and Damascus stuffing pocket flatbread smeared with Syrian red pepper paste with a thin layer of spiced minced meat and plenty of melting cheese. Pressed in a hot skillet brushed with ghee, the meat cooks juicy inside golden, crackling bread.
Also known as:Aleppo toshka cheese arayesSyrian meat and cheese grilled pitaMaria sandwich Aleppo style
Servings4
Prep time20 min
Cook time12 min
Ingredients
Add ingredients to cart- 4 fresh two-ply Arabic pocket flatbreads
- 400 g finely ground lamb or beef
- 1 small grated onion squeezed dry and 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 tsp seven-spice blend, 1/2 tsp sweet paprika, and salt
- 250 g desalted grated akkawi cheese mixed with kashkaval or low-moisture mozzarella
- 2 tbsp Syrian red pepper paste (debs fleifleh)
- 2 tbsp melted ghee for brushing the outside
Preparation Steps
- 1Knead the minced meat with squeezed onion, garlic, seven-spice, paprika, and salt until cohesive.
- 2Open each flatbread pocket carefully along one side and spread a thin smear of red pepper paste inside.
- 3Press a very thin, even layer of spiced meat right to the edges, scatter generously with grated cheese, and press closed.
- 4Brush both outsides with melted ghee and toast in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat under a light weight (or in a panini press) for 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through and crisp.
- 5Cut into hot wedges and serve right away with crunchy pickles and cold yogurt drink.
