Ladenia is a traditional Greek dish originating from Kimolos, a beautiful island located on the southwest of the Cyclades. Ladenia is a type of flatbread topped with a mixture of onions, tomatoes, olive oil, and various herbs, typically oregano and basil leaves.
Ladenia is often served as a snack or appetizer and while it’s a simple dish it’s surprisingly flavorful. It’s similar to pizza but has its own unique taste and texture.
Enjoy this traditional Ladenia recipe by Greek celebrity Chef Giorgos Tsoulis.
Ladenia (Traditional Greek Pizza/Flatbread)
Giorgos Tsoulis
A simple, yet super flavorful appetizer from the Cyclades that's also known as Greek pizza.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/356° F with both upper and lower heating elements.
For the dough:
Pour the water, olive oil, yeast and sugar into a mixing bowl. Mix with a hand whisk and let the yeast activate for 5 minutes.
Add the flour and salt and knead with a hook attachment for 5-6 minutes until dough is smooth and pliable and comes away from the side of the bowl.
Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl. Cover with transparent film or a kitchen towel and leave for 1 hour at room temperature until it doubles in volume.
Once the dough has risen, grease a shallow rectangular baking tray 35×30 cm (12×14 inches). Transfer the dough and spread it evenly to the edges, pressing it slightly with your hands.
For the topping:
Spread the tomato paste over the dough, then add the tomatoes and onions. Sprinkle with a bit of oregano, drizzle over a little olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden.
Unmold the Ladenia, sprinkle with basil leaves and fresh oregano, cut into pieces, and serve.
Notes
Chef’s tip: Instead of tomato paste, pizza sauce can be substituted. Once the Ladenia is cooked, feel free to add any desired vegetables on top.
Celebrity Chef Giorgos Tsoulis specializes in modern Mediterranean cuisine and his recipes are widely appreciated not just in Greece and Cyprus but also around the world.
He has been the executive chef of numerous successful Greek restaurants, while at the same time hosting many popular culinary TV shows in Greece and Cyprus. Giorgos Tsoulis is passionate about educating his fans in more sustainable and healthy cooking and eating while making the most of the flavors of the ingredients.
As sustainable cuisine ambassador for WWF Hellas, he plays a key role in cooking activations that relate to the European #Eat4Change program, as well as the #Farm2Fork program.
