Homemade Pita

The versatile pita bread ❤️

It's the normal, basic bread in the Middle East. They use it in many many ways. Like cut into pieces, with a dip of hummus or Tahini,

Served alongside kebabs, hummus etc, or cut into two, opened up into a pocket and filled with fillings of meat, veggies, hummus, tzatziki etc.

Left over pita can be cut into small pieces and baked to a crisp texture and can be had like nachos.

My favorite is the pita pocket with meat/falafel and veg inside -just don't forget my hummus ❤️

I always thought pita required some serious specialized ovens etc to make, but as it turns out, you can quite easily make it at home. 😊 I tried it and my family lovvved it! We filled it with falafel.  So here we go :

                     HOME MADE PITA

All purpose flour - 3 cups (or bread flour) 

Warm water         - 1cup

Honey                   - 2tbsp (or 1tbsp sugar)

Instant yeast       - 2 1/4 tsp

Olive oil               -  4tbsp

               Salt.      - 1tsp

1/4 cup flour for dusting and kneading (to be used only if required) 

Mix warm water, sugar, yeast, salt and oil. 

Let stand for 5 minutes, till the yeast activates. 

In a bowl, take the flour and make a well in the centre. Now pour in the yeast mixture and mix well to form a ball. 

Transfer this dough onto a floured surface and knead well with your hands (or use your stand mixer with the hook attachment) 

Place this dough in a bowl, cover with cling film and place in a warm place for proofing for 2 hours. 

The dough will have doubled in size by now. 

Take bring the dough back onto the surface and divide it into 12 equal portions. 

Roll out each portion into 6 inch rounds and place on parchment paper, without touching. 

Cover with muslin cloth and let stand for another 30 minutes. 

Now place a cast iron pan/pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven and preheat it to 240 degrees Celsius (yes, you heard it right. Very hot oven) 

Once the pan is hot hot, place a pita on it and close the oven. Bake for 2 minutes exactly. 

Open the oven, flip over the pita and bake for another 1 minute. Done! 😊

It might SOUND complicated, but it's not. 

Alternatively you could cook it on a skillet on your stovetop. The skillet should be very hot! 

Place the pita on it, flip after 30 seconds. Keep flipping every 30 seconds will it puffs up and then once more. Done 😊

May I just say, it's better done in the oven. 

Place the pitas under a towel, once cooked. 

Then cut each pita in two, open up to form pockets, spread hummus on the insides, add chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, falafel etc. 

Enjoy, indulge, wipe your face. Talk after you have swallowed what's in your mouth 😊

Cheers! 

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