Pita Breads

* Exported from MasterCook *

Pita Breads

Recipe By : GwynneC@aol.com
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Breads

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup wrist-temperature water
1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast -- (half 1/4 oz packet)
1 Tb sugar or honey
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 cups flour -- see note

Note: 1 cu can be whole wheat This makes twelve small or 6 large pitas.
Sprinkle yeast into water and wait til foamy. Add sugar or honey and salt and
stir to dissolve. Beat in 1 cu flour for a smooth batter. Add rest of flour
gradually for a fairly soft dough. Knead til smooth. Cover with damp towel; let
rise til double. Punch down and knead a few minutes. Divide in 6 or 12 pieces.
Knead each unit and roll into 1/8 - 1/4 inch thick circleoids (my word :). The
shape and size don't matter so much as thickness. I found it's better to err on
the side of too thick, as too thin makes them burn easily and be cracker-like.
Use lots of flour when rolling. Let circleoids rest at least 30 minutes covered
with damp towel. (I rest them on placemats.) Heat oven to 500F and heat baking
sheets. I use just one sheet and bake pitas two at a time. Brush hot sheets
with oil or sprinkle with cornmeal. (I have used sesame seeds sucessfully.)
Place (slide) pitas on hot sheets and bake just 5 to 8 minutes until puffed
like blowfish and perhaps very slightly brown. W!
atch closely; they bake fast. Wrap pitas in damp towel and put in paper or
plastic grocery bag for 15 minutes. This important step keeps them supple.
These are easy to make, very good, and fat-free. They freeze well and thaw
fairly quickly.



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