Persian Flatbread

Ingredients

• 500 gbread flour
• 7 gdry yeast
• 300 mlwarm water
• 1 tspfine sea salt
• 1 tbspolive oil

Method

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 500 g bread flour and 1 tsp fine sea salt. Make a well in the center and add 7 g dry yeast. Pour 300 ml warm water into the well, ensuring the water is just warm to the touch, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it. Mix gently with your hands or a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the dough and begin kneading it in the bowl. Once the dough starts to come together, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back slightly when pressed with a finger.
3. Place the kneaded dough back into the bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size. This may take about an hour, depending on the room temperature. You'll know it's ready when the dough has visibly expanded and feels airy when you gently press it.
4. Preheat your oven to its highest setting, typically around 250°C (482°F), and place a baking stone or an inverted baking sheet inside to heat up. This will help mimic the traditional tandoor oven environment, ensuring a crisp crust.
5. Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release excess air. Divide it into two equal portions and shape each into a ball. Roll each ball out on a lightly floured surface into an oval shape, about 1 cm thick, taking care not to deflate the dough too much.
6. Carefully transfer the shaped dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Using your fingertips, gently dimple the surface of the dough to create an uneven texture, which will help it bake evenly. Slide the parchment with the dough onto the preheated baking stone or sheet in the oven.
7. Bake the flatbreads for about 10-12 minutes until they puff up and develop a golden-brown color on the surface. The edges should be crisp, and the bread should feel light when lifted. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly, allowing the crumb to set.
8. Serve the Persian Flatbread warm, ideally as part of a shared meal. Its soft interior and crisp exterior make it perfect for scooping up dips or accompanying stews. Enjoy the bread as a centerpiece on your table, embodying the spirit of Persian hospitality.