Monday, May 9, 2011

Pita Bread



''I've have tasted Pita while I was in UK although its rare to find it here in Sri Lanka. I think its a very versatile bread which can be eaten in many ways; with currys for dinner or even can be filled up as a healthy burger. Pita bread is from Mediterranean cuisine.  I found this great recipe at DedeMed and the Pita bread came out perfect. Its time consuming to make but so worth the try. ''

Serves: 4-6

 Ingredients:
3 cups plain flour + 1 cup flour for kneading and dusting
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup warm water
1 packet yeast (7 grams)
1 tsp sugar
1/2 cup warm water
olive oil

Method:
In a small bowl mix yeast, sugar and 1/2 cup warm water and let sit for 10-15 minutes. The yeast should be  frothy now.
In a large bowl mix 3 cups flour with salt and make a well in the middle.  Slowly stir in yeast mix and 1 cup warm water until well combined.  
In another large bowl add 1 tbsp olive oil and spread all over to keep dough from sticking, place dough in oiled bowl, cover with cling film and a kitchen cloth on top and let sit for 3 hours in a warm place. 

 

After 3 hours and dough has risen, add flour on to table surface and dust the fingers with flour and knead dough for 10 minutes. If the dough is sticky add more flour to the surface and hands. Knead until till soft and elastic but not sticky. 
Form dough into small balls and let sit in a plate dusted with flour for 10 minutes.



Preheat oven to 250Cdegrees with the baking sheet in the oven.
Roll out balls to 1/8 inch thick using a roll pin. ( I usually flatten them with the hands first on the work top and then roll them out between two lunch sheets dusted with flour)


 Place the flatten dough on the heated  flat cookie sheet or pan, cook for 3-4 minutes each side or until lightly brown and dough puffed up.
If the dough does not puff up all the time, that is ok, you'll still have a pita pocket.

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