Ladenia – Traditional Greek Olive Oil Flatbread
Ladenia is a traditional Greek dish, similar to a savory pie, often enjoyed during fasting periods. Ladenia is a savory delight that captures the essence of Greek cuisine. The combination of ripe tomatoes, sweet onions, and aromatic oregano on a perfectly baked crust makes it a satisfying dish suitable for fasting periods. This fasting delicacy from Mount Athos, steeped in tradition, serves as a testament to the artistry of Greek cuisine—where each slice encapsulates the essence of fasting-friendly joy, warmth, and a celebration of simplicity.
In a bowl, we mix warm water with sugar and yeast.
We let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, we combine the flour and the salt. We make a well in the center and we add the yeast mixture and olive oil.
We mix until a dough forms.
Then, we knead on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.
We place the dough back in the bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
At the same time, we preheat the oven to 190°C.
We roll out the dough on a floured surface to our desired thickness.
We transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
We thinly sliced the tomatoes and onions and put them on the dough.
We drizzle with some olive oil.
We sprinkle with dried oregano, and we season with salt and pepper.
We could add Kalamata olives if we desired.
We bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until the crust is golden and the toppings are cooked.
When it is ready, we allow it to cool for a few minutes before slicing.
Then, we serve warm.
We can adjust the toppings and seasonings according to our preferences. If we want, we can put red or yellow peppers, mushrooms or if it isn’t fasting days, we can put some feta cheese on top.
