posted by pepe85323 03-24-103 4:50 AM
Pita Bread
21/2 cups warm water
1 pkg dry yeast
21/2 cup flour, white or whole wheat can be used
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp olive oil
more flour for various uses
oil for bowl
In a large bowl, mix 21/2 cups warm water, 1 package dry yeast and 21/2 cup flour, white or whole wheat can be used. Stir mixture in the same direction for 100 slow strokes, until smooth and silky. Cover bowl with a plastic wrap for at least 30 minutes, up to 5 or so hours.
Add 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir gently in the same direction until mixed. Add more flour to make a medium dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead dough for 10 minutes. Oil bowl, add dough and cover with plastic wrap and set aside until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with your cooking surface on a rack set to the lowest level in the oven. Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead for about 2 minutes. Divide dough in half, then divide each half in half. Continue dividing until you have 16 pieces. Flatten several of the balls and then, on a floured surface, roll them out into a 4 to 5 inch circle. Place circles on the cooking surface in the oven and let cook until the pitas starts browning. Remove from oven and wrap pitas in a towel. Repeat with remaining balls until all the balls are cooked. Makes 16 pitas.