Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Middle East and discover the art of crafting the perfect Arabian pita bread. This delectable flatbread, a cornerstone of Middle Eastern cuisine, is renowned for its soft and fluffy interior, perfectly complemented by a crispy exterior. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice cook, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to create authentic and delicious Arabian pita bread in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!
ARABIAN PITA BREAD
This doesnt taste exactly like arabian pita, but it is close. So quick and easy, and tastes better with arabian dishes (hummous, falafel, shawerma, etc). I make it when i can't get arabian pita, great with "fooll muddames" as well. This is my Mom's recipe.
Provided by najwa
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h30m
Yield 18 Pitas
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix yeast, water and sugar.
- Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, dried milk and salt.
- Pour in the oil and yeast/water mixture and stir well.
- You might need to add more flour or water, depending on the absorbency of the flour.
- Knead dough briefly, divide into 18 egg sized balls.
- Place on a floured surface, cover and let rest for 15-30 minutes.
- Roll one ball out and cook in a skillet until large "bubbles" form.
- Flip pita over and cook the other side for a few more minutes.
- I flatten it out with a spatula.
- Keep bread warm (wrap in a towel or place in a ziploc bag) while cooking the rest of the bread.
- These freeze well.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 120.5, Fat 4.8, SaturatedFat 0.6, Cholesterol 0.1, Sodium 68.2, Carbohydrate 16.6, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 0.5, Protein 2.6
CHEF JOHN'S PITA BREAD
Unlike lots of other baked products which are better from a bakery, this is so far superior to the stuff you get at the grocery store, it's not even close. And in addition to being delicious to eat, it's also extremely easy to make!
Provided by Chef John
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes Flat Bread Recipes
Time 3h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place yeast into the work bowl of a stand mixer and add 1 cup warm water and 1 cup flour. Whisk together and let stand 15 to 20 minutes for mixture to rise and make a loose sponge. Mixture will bubble and foam.
- Pour 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and salt into sponge; add 1 3/4 cup flour. Mix at low speed, using a dough hook attachment, until dough is soft, supple, and slightly sticky. If dough sticks to the sides of the bowl, add up to 1/4 cup more flour, a little at a time.
- Knead dough with machine on low speed until slightly springy and still soft, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and form into a ball.
- Wipe inside of bowl with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Turn dough around in bowl to cover with a thin film of oil; cover bowl with foil and let sit until dough has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
- Remove dough from bowl and place onto a floured work surface. Lightly pat into a flat shape about 1 inch thick. Use a knife to cut dough into 8 pieces.
- Form each piece into a small round ball with a smooth top, pulling dough from the sides and tucking the ends underneath the bottom.
- Cover dough balls with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle a small amount of flour on a work surface and top of a dough ball; gently pat dough ball flat with your fingers, forming a flat, round bread about 1/4 inch thick. Let dough round rest for 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough balls.
- Brush a cast-iron skillet with remaining 3/4 teaspoon olive oil and place over medium-high heat. Lay pita bread into hot skillet and cook until bread begins to puff up and bottom has brown spots and blisters, about 3 minutes. Flip, cook 2 more minutes, and flip back onto original side to cook for about 30 more seconds. Pita bread will begin to puff up and fill with hot air. Stack cooked breads on a plate; when cool enough to handle, break breads in half and open the pocket inside for stuffing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 186.6 calories, Carbohydrate 33.1 g, Fat 3.6 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 510.9 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality flour: The type of flour you use will greatly impact the final product. Look for a flour with a high protein content, such as bread flour or all-purpose flour.
- Activate the yeast properly: Before adding the yeast to the dough, be sure to activate it in warm water with a pinch of sugar. This will help to ensure that the yeast is active and will produce a light and fluffy bread.
- Knead the dough thoroughly: Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten, which gives the bread its structure and elasticity. Knead the dough for at least 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place: After kneading the dough, place it in a warm place to rise. This will allow the yeast to multiply and produce carbon dioxide gas, which will cause the dough to rise.
- Shape the dough into balls: Once the dough has risen, divide it into equal-sized balls. Shape each ball into a smooth, round ball.
- Cook the bread in a hot oven: The best way to cook pita bread is in a hot oven. This will help to create a crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior.
Conclusion:
Pita bread is a delicious and versatile flatbread that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, but it is also popular all over the world. With these tips, you can make perfect pita bread at home. So, what are you waiting for? Start baking today!
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