Carols Easy Pita Bread Recipes

CAROL'S EASY PITA BREAD

Steps:

• Combine first four ingredients in a large bowl.
• Beat well about 1 minute.
• Then mix in the remaining flour, using just enough to make a soft, sticky dough.
• Turn out on floured board and continue to knead for 5 minutes.
• Divide into 8 balls.
• Roll out each one to about 1/4 inch thick and 6 inches in diameter.
• Place on very lightly greased cookie sheet sprinkled with cornmeal (although cornmeal is really not necessary if you don't have it).
• Let rise in warm place for 25-35 minutes .
• Bake at 450 for 4 min, and then turn over for 4 more minutes or until lightly browned.
• Wrap immediately in a dishtowel for 3 or 4 minutes.

EASY PITA BREAD (NO YEAST)

Steps:

• In a big bowl combine flour and salt. Mix in olive oil and water.
• Knead into a soft and sturdy dough. It should be smooth. Cover the bowl and allow to rest for 40 minutes at room temperature.
• Form dough into about 7 equally sized balls. Roll out the balls to 1/2 inch thickness (note: these wont rise much, so make them as thick as youd like them to be in the end.).
• Place on a paper-lined baking sheet, brush with water and sprinkle with the sesame and nigella seeds.
• Bake in the preheated oven at 200°C/400°F for 15 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

PITA BREAD

Steps:

• Sift flour and salt together in a large bowl.
• Combine yeast, sugar and 1/3 cup very warm water-give a quick stir and set aside for 5 minutes to activate yeast.
• Make a well in the flour/salt mixture and add the yeast, 1 cup warm water and the olive oil.
• Gently stir to gather dough into a ball-you may need a touch more water-depending on where you live, altitude.
• Turn out and knead for 10 minutes.
• Put into a LIGHTLY greased large bowl, cover and place in a warm spot for around 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Punch down and knead to smooth.
• Cut dough into 12 pieces, form into rounds, roll out and place on a dusted baking sheet, cover and let rest for 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 500F degrees.
• I use my large cast iron skillet for this part, so I place it in the oven and when really hot I place in two pitas and let bake for around 3 minutes-you can broil for 1 minute if you like, just to get the tops browned.
• I wrap the cooked pitas in a slightly damp tea towel for a minute or two-then cool and place in plastic bags.
• This process can also be done on a cooking sheet.

EASY PITA BREAD

Steps:

• In mixing bowl, combine water and sugar; sprinkle yeast and let stand for 10 minutes or until dissolved and creamy.
• Using electric mixer, beat in 2 c.of the flour, oil and salt; beat for about 3 minutes or until smooth, scraping down side of bowl from time to time.
• With wooden spoon, beat in enough of the remaining flour to make stiff dough.
• Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
• Place dough in lightly greased bowl, turning to grease all over.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in bulk.
• Divide dough into 16 or 32 pieces.
• On lightly floured surface, roll each piece into 7" or 4" rounds.
• Cover and let rise for 15 minutes or until slightly risen.
• Meanwhile, heat ungreased baking sheet on lowest rack in 500 degree oven (240 C).
• Using floured metal spatula, quickly transfer 2 or 3 pita rounds to heated baking sheet; bake for 3 or 4 minutes or until puffed and light golden around edges.
• Repeat with remaining pita rounds.
• Let cool between damp tea towels.
• Pitas will collapse and soften slightly, but pocket will remain.
• (Alternatively, if crisp pitas are desired, let cool on racks) Pitas can be stored in plastic bags in freezer for up to 1 month.
• Makes 16 7" pitas or 32 4" pitas.