Greek delight: Why ladenia is a pizza alternative worth trying
Although pizza is primarily associated with sunny Italy, a similar delicacy can also be found during delightful Greek holidays.
Ladenia is a Greek variation of pizza made from olive bread. Its uniqueness is that it does not contain cheese—not even Greek cheese. This makes it a delicious and lighter alternative to classic pizza. A few ingredients are enough to create something tasty.
Greek ladenia - cheese-free pizza
Ladenia is a baked flatbread made from yeast dough. It is generously drizzled with olive oil and topped with tomatoes and onions. The dish originates from the small island of Kimolos, part of the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea. It is simple yet delicious, and high-quality ingredients, especially olive oil, are crucial.
It is usually served warm and cut into pieces. It works perfectly as a snack, a light lunch, or an addition to other Greek dishes. When barbecue season starts, it's also worth having this recipe on hand—it perfectly complements meats on the grill.
Ingredients:
- 1 kilogram of wheat flour,
- about 240 millilitres of warm water,
- 20 grams of dried yeast,
- 2 red onions,
- 3 fresh tomatoes,
- 4 tablespoons of tomato purée,
- 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds,
- 1 teaspoon of dried mint,
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt,
- 200 millilitres of extra virgin olive oil.
Method of preparation:
- Pour some warm water into a large bowl, add the yeast, and mix.
- Gradually add the flour and the remaining water, mixing thoroughly.
- Knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
- Roll it out to a thickness of about 2 centimetres, dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
- Generously grease a large baking sheet with olive oil.
- Spread the dough on it, pressing lightly with your fingers.
- Let it rise for 20 minutes.
- Brush the top of the dough with tomato purée.
- Arrange the sliced onions and tomato slices on top.
- Sprinkle the entire mixture with sea salt, mint, and sesame seeds.
- Bake in an oven preheated to 180 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes, until the dough is golden brown.
After this time, the ladenia is ready to eat. You can serve it either warm or cold. Enjoy!
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