pita.
Leavened flatbread from the Middle-East and Mediterranean. The ones in the picture are a different recipe, this recipe is much more flat, less dense and puffy like the ones you get at a souvlaki/shwarma place.
Execution:
bloom the yeast.
Combine water, yeast, and sugar. Allow the mixture to bloom for 10-15 minutes or until frothy.
2. knead, proof, shape.
Whisk together flour and salt, add the yeast mix.
Knead in the bowl until the flour is hydrated.
Transfer the dough onto a work surface and knead using the slap & fold technique for 10-12 minutes or until smooth.
Or use a stand with the kneading attachment on medium speed for 6-8 minutes.
The dough will be very sticky to start, do not add flour.
First grab underneath the dough with just your fingertips at 12 and 6 o'clock, lift the dough slightly off the surface, rotate it 90 degrees, and slap the bottom portion onto your work surface, giving the dough a stretch towards yourself before folding it over itself with the dough being held by your hands, repeat.
Grease a bowl with olive oil, roll the dough into a tight ball, transfer the dough to the bowl, cover with a damp towel and place in a warm environment for 30-45 minutes or until doubled in size.
Place the dough onto a work surface then divide and shape into nine pieces, each weighing 90-95g, shape the dough into balls.
Flatten each portion into a disk, fold the corners into the middle, flip and roll into a tight balll. Using your palm in a cupped "C" position, roll the ball in a circular motion on your work surface to create a tight outer skin.
Dust the dough balls with flour, place them on a baking tray, and wrap the tray tightly with plastic wrap.
3. bake.
Preheat a convection oven to 550°F, place a pizza steel or a cast-iron skillet inside the oven and allow to preheat for 30 minutes.
Generously flour your work surface, roll out each ball of dough to about 1/4cm thick.
Avoid any pinching or folding of the dough while rolling out your dough wont form an air pocket, keep the unrolled balls of dough under a towel to prevent drying.
Transfer the prepared dough onto your pizza steel or cast-iron skillet and bake for 1-2 minutes, or until the bottom is browned, and the pita has puffed up.
Remove the pita from the oven, keep warm in a kitchen towel and serve.
4. storage.
Store at room temperature for 3-5 days.
In an airtight bag, store in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for 3 months.
To reheat, splash with a touch of water and place in a 350°F oven, remove once warm.
Ingredients:
405g bread flour.
45g whole wheat flour.
10g active dry yeast.
15g kosher salt.
15g sugar.
330g filtered water (100-115°F).
18g olive oil.
Equipment:
mixing bowl.
baking tray.
baking stone or cast iron skillet.
scale.
thermometer.
Yield:
9 pitas.