Pita Bread
- 1 1/4 cups tepid water
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for brushing
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour, plus more for rolling the dough
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- Combine the water, oil, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of the flour and the yeast.
- Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to make a soft dough.
- Knead on a lightly floured work surface for 5 minutes, adding more flour as necessary, until the dough is smooth.
- Shape into a ball.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let stand about 1 hour in a warm place until doubled in volume.
- Briefly knead the dough until smooth.
- Cut the dough into 8 pieces.
- Roll each into a thin oval shape, about 8in (20cm) long.
- Brush 2 large baking sheets with oil.
- Place 4 ovals onto each sheet.
- Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place for about 20 minutes until the dough has risen slightly.
- Preheat oven to 425F (220C).
- Brush the tops of the ovals lightly with oil.
- Bake for about 10 minutes, until puffed and golden.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Serve warm.
- Variation:
- Spiced Pitas: Before baking, sprinkle with lightly crushed coriander, cumin, or fennel seeds for a fragrant version, or add 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds to the dough during the second kneading.
tepid water, olive oil, sugar, salt, bread flour, yeast
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/pita-bread (may not work)