**Pita Bread: A Culinary Journey Across Cultures and Tastes**
Pita bread, with its soft and pliable texture, has captivated taste buds across cultures and cuisines. Originating in the Middle East, this flatbread has become an integral part of various culinary traditions worldwide. Its versatility knows no bounds, serving as a perfect accompaniment to dips, spreads, and fillings. Whether you're craving a classic hummus and pita combo, a mouthwatering gyro sandwich, or a crispy falafel wrap, pita bread elevates every bite with its unique flavor and texture. Dive into our collection of pita bread recipes, ranging from traditional Middle Eastern delights to creative fusion dishes. Discover the art of making pita bread from scratch using simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Explore variations like whole wheat pita bread for added nutritional value, or spice things up with flavorful herb-infused pita bread. Unleash your culinary creativity and embark on a journey of taste with our diverse selection of pita bread recipes.
PEPPY'S PITA BREAD
It's easy to make homemade pita-style bread in your own oven using this easy-to-follow recipe.
Provided by Sandy
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes Flat Bread Recipes
Time 3h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place all ingredients in bread pan of your bread machine, select Dough setting and start. When dough has risen long enough, machine will beep.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently roll and stretch dough into a 12 inch rope. With a sharp knife, divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a smooth ball. With a rolling pin, roll each ball into a 6 to 7 inch circle. Set aside on a lightly floured countertop. cover with a towel. Let pitas rise about 30 minutes until slightly puffy.
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Place 2 or 3 pitas on a wire cake rack. Place cake rack directly on oven rack. Bake pitas 4 to 5 minutes until puffed and tops begin to brown. Remove from oven and immediately place pitas in a sealed brown paper bag or cover them with a damp kitchen towel until soft. Once pitas a softened, either cut in half or split top edge for half or whole pitas. They can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for several days or in the freezer for 1 or 2 months.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 191.1 calories, Carbohydrate 36.8 g, Fat 2.2 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 293 mg, Sugar 0.9 g
PITA BREAD FOR BREAD MACHINE
I found this stuffed in my recipe box. I'm not sure where I found it, but I decided to try this with Gyros. These were delicious! The recipe wasn't specific on the temperature of the water, & after I had all of the ingredients in the pan, I remembered that I should have used warm water (120-130 degrees F). But I goofed & used cold water. I thought I'd try it anyways & if it didn't work I'd just make another batch. But I got lucky, because it raised just fine. I also used all-purpose flour. This was my first time making pita bread, so for any of you who are new to making pitas as well, here are some tips for rolling them out. If you roll them out to 6-7 inches, they do not puff very much & you can use them like a tortilla. However, if you roll them a little smaller (some of mine just didn't want to stretch to 6 inches) & have them a little thicker (not too much) they puff up & you can cut them in half for pita pockets. For some wierd reason, this really impressed me! Note: If you use a stone pan to bake these, bake for 4 minutes & do not turn. *Prep time varies for all bread machines, so I didn't list that part. My prep time was 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Provided by Legna
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 24m
Yield 12 pitas, 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Add ingredients, in order listed.
- Select dough cycle.
- When cycle is complete, remove dough.
- Divide into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball.
- Cover with a damp towel and let rest 10 minutes.
- Grease a baking sheet. Set aside.
- On a floured surface, roll each ball of dough into 6-7 inch circles.
- Place 2 circles of dough on prepared pan.
- Bake 450 degrees, 2 minutes. Turn over and bake 2 minutes longer.
- Continue baking 2 at a time.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 147.9, Fat 3.7, SaturatedFat 0.5, Sodium 292.3, Carbohydrate 24.6, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 0.4, Protein 3.6
PITA BREAD FOR THE BREADMAKER
I found this at the BHG website. The recipe calls for milk but I made them with water and they turned out fine. I also found that while the cooking time given was 5-7 minutes, it took mine an extra 2 minutes to brown.
Provided by Cilantro in Canada
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h45m
Yield 10 pita, 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the ingredients in your breadmaker as follows: milk, oil, salt, sugar, flour and yeast. Or, follow the recommendations of the manufacturer.
- Select the dough cycle.
- Once the dough is made let it rest for 10 minutes. I let mine rest in the machine.
- Divide dough into 10 balls.On a floured surface, roll each ball to approximately a 6 inch circle.
- Place on a greased cookie sheet(s).
- Brush each with a little oil and cover and let rise for about 30 minutes or until slightly risen.
- Once risen lightly oil the top again.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 450 degrees for approximately 5-7 minutes(mine took an extra 2 minutes).
- The original recipe calls for the pita to be turned half way through baking, but I found this unnecessary.
- Cool on a rack.
- Makes ten pita.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 158.9, Fat 4.2, SaturatedFat 1.1, Cholesterol 4.3, Sodium 190.6, Carbohydrate 25.4, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 0.7, Protein 4.6
PITA POCKET BREAD (BREAD MACHINE)
So easy to make your own pita pockets, and even EASIER to do it in the bread machine! Kids love these for car trips or picnics; can't help but feel adventurous with one of these in the lunch box! NOTE: If you don't have a bread machine, you can STILL make this recipe...see DIRECTIONS at the bottom. COOKING TIME includes rising time
Provided by Debber
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h23m
Yield 10 pockets, 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place the above ingredients into the bread machine according to owner's manual specifications (mine does wet ingredients first).
- Program for DOUGH or MANUAL.
- After the program is completed, divide dough into 10 equal pieces; shape each into a smooth ball; place five on each baking sheet.
- Let rise for 20 minutes while oven preheats to 500; flatten puffy balls gently into a 6-inch disk.
- Bake for five minutes (tops will be puffed and beginning to brown).
- Cut each circle in half to form two pockets.
- Fill with your favorite sandwich fixin's: ham, turkey, chicken salad, lettuce, sprouts, cheese and grapes.
- TRADITIONAL BREAD-MAKING: In a mixing bowl, mix water, sugar and yeast; allow to foam for 3-5 minutes; add oil and salt, mixing well; mix white & wholewheat flours together in a separate bowl, then add to liquids, mixing until well-blended. Place dough-ball in a well-greased bowl, allow to rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume. Continue from Step #3 above.
SYRIAN BREAD
Mix the dough in your bread machine and bake in the oven. A versatile Middle Eastern style flat bread that you can serve with lunch or dinner.
Provided by Sue Litster
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes Flat Bread Recipes
Time 3h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough cycle; press Start.
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).
- Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into eight equal pieces and form into rounds. Cover the rounds with a damp cloth and let rest.
- Roll dough into thin flat circles, about 8 inches in diameter. Cook two at a time on preheated baking sheets or a baking stone until puffed up and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Repeat for remaining loaves.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 204 calories, Carbohydrate 36.3 g, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 438.3 mg, Sugar 0.4 g
CHEF JOHN'S PITA BREAD
Unlike lots of other baked products which are better from a bakery, this is so far superior to the stuff you get at the grocery store, it's not even close. And in addition to being delicious to eat, it's also extremely easy to make!
Provided by Chef John
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes Flat Bread Recipes
Time 3h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place yeast into the work bowl of a stand mixer and add 1 cup warm water and 1 cup flour. Whisk together and let stand 15 to 20 minutes for mixture to rise and make a loose sponge. Mixture will bubble and foam.
- Pour 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and salt into sponge; add 1 3/4 cup flour. Mix at low speed, using a dough hook attachment, until dough is soft, supple, and slightly sticky. If dough sticks to the sides of the bowl, add up to 1/4 cup more flour, a little at a time.
- Knead dough with machine on low speed until slightly springy and still soft, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and form into a ball.
- Wipe inside of bowl with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Turn dough around in bowl to cover with a thin film of oil; cover bowl with foil and let sit until dough has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
- Remove dough from bowl and place onto a floured work surface. Lightly pat into a flat shape about 1 inch thick. Use a knife to cut dough into 8 pieces.
- Form each piece into a small round ball with a smooth top, pulling dough from the sides and tucking the ends underneath the bottom.
- Cover dough balls with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle a small amount of flour on a work surface and top of a dough ball; gently pat dough ball flat with your fingers, forming a flat, round bread about 1/4 inch thick. Let dough round rest for 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough balls.
- Brush a cast-iron skillet with remaining 3/4 teaspoon olive oil and place over medium-high heat. Lay pita bread into hot skillet and cook until bread begins to puff up and bottom has brown spots and blisters, about 3 minutes. Flip, cook 2 more minutes, and flip back onto original side to cook for about 30 more seconds. Pita bread will begin to puff up and fill with hot air. Stack cooked breads on a plate; when cool enough to handle, break breads in half and open the pocket inside for stuffing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 186.6 calories, Carbohydrate 33.1 g, Fat 3.6 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 510.9 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
TYLER FLORENCE'S PITA BREAD (BREAD MACHINE, DOUGH CYCLE)
I don't know if Tyler Florence would approve of the use of a bread machine to knead his pita bread recipe. I think it works wonderfully. Fresh pita bread is like a loaf of homemade bread. The flavor, texture and fragrance can't be compared with the store bought variety. I think this goes well with Paula Wolfert's Hummus which I also submitted to RecipeZaar. This recipe uses a Pizza Stone but I think you might possibly use a hot cookie sheet with good results. Prep time is bread machine time.
Provided by P.B.andJayne
Categories Breads
Time 2h35m
Yield 8 pitas, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine ingredients in a bread machine. Set for a 2 pound dough cycle.
- Toward the end of the dough cycle place the pizza stone on the lowest oven rack and pre-heat it to 500 degrees.
- When the dough is ready punch it down and divide it into 8 balls, keeping it all lightly floured and covered.
- Rest the covered balls for 15 minutes.
- Roll each ball into an eight inch circle, one quarter inch thick, making sure circles are totally smooth, with no creases or seams. Do not stack the disks but keep them covered.
- Put 2 pitas on the hot stone and bake them 4-5 minutes, until they're puffed and a pale golden color. WATCH CLOSELY. They cook really quickly.
- Cool on rack 5 minutes. They will naturally deflate, leaving a pocket.
- Wrap them in a kitchen towel to keep them soft.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 209.7, Fat 1.2, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 293.7, Carbohydrate 42.7, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 0.7, Protein 6.1
Tips:
- Activate dry active yeast properly: Make sure the water is warm (105-115°F) and add a pinch of sugar to help activate the yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Measure ingredients accurately: This is especially important for yeast and salt. Too much yeast can cause the bread to rise too quickly and result in a sour taste, while too little yeast will prevent the bread from rising properly.
- Knead the dough well: Kneading helps to develop the gluten in the flour, which gives the bread its structure and texture. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place: The ideal temperature for rising dough is between 75-85°F. You can place the dough in a warm oven with the light on or in a sunny spot in your kitchen.
- Shape the dough balls evenly: This will help ensure that the pitas cook evenly. Roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness and use a 3-inch cookie cutter to cut out circles.
- Cook the pitas over medium-high heat: This will help them puff up and get those characteristic charred spots.
Conclusion:
With the right ingredients and a little patience, you can easily make delicious pita bread at home using your bread machine. These tips will help you achieve perfect results every time. Enjoy your homemade pita bread with your favorite dips, spreads, or fillings!
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