Make Pita Bread
If you like pita bread and want that piping hot taste and the smell of an Indian bakery in your place where the kitchen doubles as the bedroom. then this is the thing for you!
Contents
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110 to 115°)
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- oil
Steps
- Buy a grill pan: these come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Get one that spans across two burners so you can do more than one at a time but it is up to you. They cost perhaps $20-$40 but if you like pita then it will quickly pay for itself. You can also cook other foods, like steak or pancakes on the griddle.
- Put yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water; add sugar and let stand for 10 minutes. Sift 2 1/2 cups of flour and the salt into a bowl.
- Form a well in the center; pour in yeast mixture and remaining warm water. Knead it and add the flour slowly until it's elastic - about 10-15 minutes but it really depends on how fast you go.
- Put the mixture into a slightly oiled bowl and pour a teaspoon or so of oil onto the dough. Smear it all around the dough until it is no longer sticky. Put a damp cloth over it and set it in a warm place for about an hour and a half. Dough should be doubled in bulk.
- Knead for a few minutes then divide into balls about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} in diameter.
- Roll balls into circles on a lightly floured surface with floured rolling pin, or flatten into circles with hand. The circles should be about 1/4-inch thick and about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} in diameter. Sandwich the circles between floured cloths and let rise for about 20 minutes in a warm place. This seems like forever, but this is really only if you have time and want the taste (the second rise will improve the flavor).
- Turn your grill on high and put some cooking spray on it. Then, oil the pita as little as possible. Wait for the grill to heat and put the pita on it.
- Cook for about a minute or two. Take a peek and if it looks like it has the marks that you always wanted on your steak then time to flip. Again, you're looking for those marks. When both sides are nicely browned, the pita should be done.
- Place the pita on a tray or plate and sprinkle with some chili powder or if you're looking for dessert, then some sugar and cinnamon. (These are really good if you grill a few fresh pineapple slices and put them on vanilla ice cream along with the dessert pita.)
- Finished.
Tips
- Buy a can of hummus or make it yourself! Hummus is chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and olive oil, with a few seasonings. Place the beans into a blender and blend them while drizzling in oil. It should look like a paste. Season with salt and pepper to taste. They are phenomenal with regular or chili powdered pita.
Warnings
- Every once in a while you'll have one that is just not done. Don't eat it. Put it in a microwave, an oven, or a toaster and let it finish. I would suggest an oven or a microwave over a toaster, so it doesn't burn.
