Turkish flat bread with nigella seeds (pita) recipe

Recipe for turkish flat bread with nigella seeds (pita) in our easy ethnic recipes collection. Flat bread is a turkish staple that is popular throughout the year. After fasting all day during Ramazan, however, this bread is especially welcomed. The sprinkling of nigella seeds across the bread's crusty top gives it a special touch during holiday feasts.

Recipe ingredients

• 2 envelopes, 4 teaspoons, active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup plus 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1/2 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for coating
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons nigella seeds or sesame seeds

How to make turkish flat bread with nigella seeds (pita)

• In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup lukewarm water. Set aside in a warm place for 10 minutes, until mixture is frothy. Add all-purpose flour and stir until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Pour bread flour into a large bowl and create a well in center. Add yeast mixture, salt, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 cup lukewarm water. Use your hands to gradually combine flour with remaining ingredients, creating a sticky dough.
• Turn dough out onto a clean floured surface and knead for about 15 minutes. As you work dough, it will become less sticky but should remain moist and easy to work with.
• Coat a medium bowl with a very thin layer of olive oil. Place dough in bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rise for 1 hour, until almost doubled in size.
• Divide dough into two balls and place on a cookie sheet. Cover with a clean, damp kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes longer.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and place an empty cookie sheet in warm oven.
• Flatten one ball of dough into a disk, stretching it into a 10-inch circle about 1/4-inch thick. Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch a 1/2-inch-thick rim about 1 inch in from edge, all the way around. Use your fingertips to make shallow indentations all over the surface of dough. Repeat with other ball.
• Using an oven mitt, remove cookie sheet from oven. Carefully place flat bread on sheet. Brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with nigella or sesame seeds. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until bread is golden with crusty edges. Serve fresh from oven.

Preparation time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Makes two 10-inch round loaves

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