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Middle Eastern Griddle Bread 2

Serves 4 to 6 Bread vegan, Breads & Pastry

Middle Eastern Griddle Bread 2

Middle Eastern Griddle Bread 2 is an everyday staple that finds its place at the heart of home-cooked meals across the region. This version captures the essence of how it's truly made at home, with salt measured by intuition and a generous hand with the oil. It's a recipe passed through kitchens, not from books, embodying the unspoken rules of a family's table traditions.

The bread emerges from the griddle with a golden crust and a soft interior, offering a delicate balance between the slight saltiness and the subtle richness of the oil. Its texture is tender yet sturdy enough to accompany a variety of dishes, making it a versatile companion to any meal, from hearty stews to simple spreads.

Ingredients

  • 400 gflour
  • 200 mlwater
  • 1 tbspoil
  • 1 tspfine sea salt

Method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 400 g flour and 1 tsp fine sea salt. Gradually add 200 ml water while stirring with your hand or a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Add 1 tbsp oil and continue to mix until the dough starts to come together.
  2. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it by pressing down with the heel of your hand, folding it over, and turning it. Continue kneading for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. It should feel soft and slightly tacky but not sticky.
  3. Place the kneaded dough back into the mixing bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size. This may take about an hour, but the dough should feel airy and light when it's ready.
  4. Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release excess air. Divide it into equal portions, shaping each into a ball. Flatten each ball slightly with your hands to form a disc.
  5. Preheat your oven to a high temperature, around 220°C (428°F), and place a baking stone or an inverted baking tray inside to heat up. Carefully place the shaped dough onto the hot surface. Bake until the bread puffs up and develops a golden-brown color on the surface, which should take about 8-10 minutes.
  6. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool slightly so the crumb sets properly, ensuring it retains its soft texture inside.
  7. Serve the griddle bread warm, ideally as part of a shared meal. Its soft, chewy texture pairs well with a variety of Middle Eastern dishes, bringing a comforting and authentic touch to your table.
Cover of Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Middle Eastern volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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