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Thursday, March 05, 2015

Pita bread

I have always assumed that pita bread is difficult to make. Don't ask me why.....I just always thought that it wasn't something that could easily be made at home. Until now, that is. Blogging Marathon #50 has made me tread hitherto untested waters and I must say that not only is it not difficult to make pita at home, but it is also lighter and tastier than the store bought, preservative laden version.
Pita bread, hummus and falafel  - a complete meal

What you need:
Flour - 3 cups *(see note)
Instant yeast - 2 tsp
Salt - 1.5 tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
Lukewarm water - 1 to 1.5 cups

In a large mixing bowl, bring together the flour, yeast, salt and sugar. Add water, a little at a time, until it forms a sticky mass. Add in the oil and transfer to your counter top. Knead well for at least ten minutes and for up to 12 minutes. By then, you will notice that the dough has become smooth, non sticky and pliable. Transfer to an oiled bowl and keep aside covered for 2 hours. The dough will puff up nicely even though it may not double. Punch the dough down, divide it into eight equal balls, cover and keep aside for half an hour. During this time, pre heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Roll the dough into a circle of roughly 6-7 inches and arrange as many of the circles as you can on the back of a cookie sheet. Bake for 4 minutes. The pita should puff up beautifully somewhere between 3 and 4 minutes. Even if it doesn't, don't fret too much about it, because it will still taste just as good.
Pita - hot off the oven

 Remove from the oven and serve warm with hummus and falafel to make a complete meal.

*Note : I have use a combination of 2 cups of wheat flour and 1 cup of all purpose flour. You may choose to use only APF, only Wheat flour, or any ratio that adds up to a total of 3 cups.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM 






13 comments:

Srivalli said...

Yes it's much like our pulkas infact...such a treat to have that meal..

Varada's Kitchen said...

If you heat the cookie sheet when you preheat the oven and transfer the prepared pita to the hot sheet, they will puff up everytime and get a lovely color too.

annuswamy said...

Nice! I always thought Pita was so exotic, u make it seem so simple! And nice idea Varada too!

annuswamy said...

Nice! I always thought Pita was so exotic and you make it look so simple! And nice idea of Varada's too!

Padmajha said...

I haven't made this yet. Would love to try it out sometime...

Priya Suresh said...

Pita bread is my favourite anytime..

vaishali sabnani said...

I had the same thoughts on pita but after making it you surely think different. Well made pita.

Suma Gandlur said...

Lovely choice. I am lazy and keep buying them. :)

Suja said...

I have never made it.. Looks good

Harini R said...

Good one to make at home. Love the combo of hummus and falafel!

Suja Ram said...

Pita bread with Hummus n Falafel is my favourite too

Pavani said...

Your pita breads look great Jayashree.

veena said...

Pita looks great. I am yet to try this