Pita Bread

Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons dry yeast
• 1/2 cup water, lukewarm
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups plain flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 -2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Recipe

• 1 mix 1/2 cup lukewarm water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. mix the yeast into the warm sugar-water mixture. cover and keep in a warm place for 5-10 minutes. if the yeast has not formed a creamy foam after this time, you should try again with new yeast.
• 2 in a large bowl, mix the flours, proved yeast, oil and salt. add 1/2 cup water, and then continue adding in small amounts until dough is proper consistency. mix well and knead to form a dough.
• 3 put a tablespoon or so of olive oil in the bottom of the bowl and return the dough to the bowl, turning to oil it evenly. cover the bowl and leave to rise for 45 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
• 4 punch down the dough and move it to a floured surface and knead briefly. place the dough, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. (note: i have found that the longer the dough is in the refrigerator the higher the chance that it becomes somewhat dry).
• 5 bring the dough to room temperature and divide it into 8-10 balls. flour your hands, and roll the dough on a floured surface. roll each ball of dough into about an 8 inch circle. (note: avoid creasing the dough during this process - they will prevent the pita from ballooning).
• 6 heat a large pan or griddle, and place the pita on the hot griddle. cook for 15-20 seconds before turning the bread over gently. cook for another minute or until big bubbles appear.
• 7 turn the bread again. use a kitchen cloth to press on those areas where bubbles have formed to push air into the flat areas. cook until the pita balloons. (note: due to a number of different factors, your pitas will not always balloon. every time i have made them, i have had a higher and higher success rate, though!).
• 8 remove pita and repeat with the remaining dough balls.
• 9 enjoy! pitas are delicious warm as a side, can be made into a pita pocket sandwich, or with some tzatziki or hummus.