Pita Bread

Pita bread, also known as pitta is a common delicacy in the middle-east and the neighbouring regions and also the Mediterranean. It is a round-shaped flatbread made most commonly of wheat flour. This warm, soft and fluffy bread is not only heaven in every bite but also amazingly easy to make. Just with a few simple ingredients that everyone mostly has in their kitchen, you can bake up this fresh bread in no time! True, you can easily buy pita bread at grocery stores.

But the quality and freshness that you get by baking your own pita bread are incomparable! This bread is so diverse that you can use it no matter if you are making shawarma, falafel or a hummus roll with boiled chicken and veggies. Warm pita bread goes great with meatballs, saucy soups or stews and since it is light, you can easily have it for dinner. If you have guests coming at home, you can prepare a quick dinner with pita bread and spicy curry. You can even make healthy egg-rolls using pita and serve as a snack or breakfast to your kids. Since you can combine whole wheat flour while making pita bread, it is also a healthier option when it comes to bread. The store-bought pita will not be as authentic as the ones you can make at home. The whiff of this fragrant bread as it bakes will take you to the streets of Egypt.

INGREDIENTS

350 gm all purpose flour

1 cup boiling water

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 teaspoon virgin olive oil

2 teaspoon dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

How to make Pita Bread

Step 1

To prepare this easy recipe, add sugar, yeast and warm water in a bowl. Mix and make a loose, bubbly sponge. Let it rest uncovered and become frothy for 15-20 minutes.

Step 2

Now add olive oil, all-purpose flour and salt and start mixing with a spatula to combine. Put some lose flour over the sticky dough mixture and knead until a smooth dough starts to form. On a clean surface, put some dry flour and take out the dough. Knead and punch for 2-3 minutes and let it rest again covered for 10 minutes. Don’t add too much flour even if the dough appears sticky.

Step 3

In a big clean bowl, put olive oil and grease the whole area. Then put the dough inside and coat it in olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and leave for 1 hour. The dough will now double up in bulk. Divide the dough into small portions and again cover with a damp towel for 5 minutes. Now, roll it into pita shapes with 8-inch diameter and ½-inch thickness.

Step 4

You can bake the pita in the oven at 475 degrees F for 2 minutes while flipping it to the other side after 1 minute. Or, you can also cook them on a stovetop skillet. Put a few drops of olive oil on the hot skillet and put the rolled pita over it. Toast for 2 minutes and as bubbles start to form, flip using tongs. Toast on this side for 2 minutes. Your pita will be ready as it puffs up!