Indulge your taste buds in the delightful world of pita bread, a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Often described as a "pocket bread," pita features a soft, chewy interior encased in a crispy exterior, creating a versatile canvas for a myriad of culinary creations. From classic falafel to hearty souvlaki, the versatility of pita bread knows no bounds. Dive into this culinary journey as we present a collection of pita bread recipes, each offering unique variations and flavors. Discover how to prepare the perfect pita dough from scratch, utilizing simple pantry staples. Learn the art of shaping and cooking pita bread in various methods, including stovetop, oven, and even on a grill. Widen your culinary horizons with a selection of delectable fillings and toppings, transforming pita bread into a symphony of flavors.
**Recipes in the article:**
1. **Classic Pita Bread:**
- Master the traditional pita bread recipe, achieving that perfect balance between soft and crispy textures.
2. **Whole Wheat Pita Bread:**
- Elevate your pita bread game with this wholesome variation, incorporating the goodness of whole wheat flour.
3. **Spinach Pita Bread:**
- Embrace the vibrant hues of spinach in this flavorful pita bread, adding a nutritious twist to your favorite dishes.
4. **Za'atar Pita Bread:**
- Experience the aromatic delights of za'atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend, infused into the pita bread dough.
5. **Garlic Herb Pita Bread:**
- Awaken your senses with the tantalizing aroma of garlic and herbs, baked into every bite of this savory pita bread.
6. **Stuffed Pita Bread with Falafel:**
- Combine the classic flavors of falafel with the comforting embrace of pita bread, creating a satisfying and wholesome meal.
7. **Grilled Pita Bread with Chicken Souvlaki:**
- Elevate your grilling game with pita bread as the perfect vessel for succulent chicken souvlaki, marinated in a symphony of Greek spices.
8. **Pita Bread with Hummus and Roasted Vegetables:**
- Delight in the creamy embrace of hummus, complemented by a medley of roasted vegetables, nestled within a soft pita pocket.
9. **Pita Bread Pizza:**
- Transform pita bread into a crispy canvas for your favorite pizza toppings, creating a quick and satisfying meal.
10. **Pita Bread Chips:**
- Unleash the crispy crunch of pita bread chips, seasoned to perfection, offering a guilt-free snacking experience.
QUICK AND EASY SYRIAN-LEBANESE-POCKET-PITA BREAD!
I've tried lots of recipes and this one is my family's favorite! Using instant yeast, you can make 20-22 "pitettes" or 8 medium bread rounds in about 90 minutes, including baking time! There is no fat or sugar added (except for the sugars in the dry milk powder).
Provided by ValFosburgh
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h30m
Yield 20-22 Mini pita rounds, 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large sturdy bowl (hard plastic or stainless steel). Form a little well in the center.
- Heat the water in a microwave safe dish for one minute.
- Pour the water into the flour well and mix the ingredients with a spatula as far you can. Place a dish of cool water in a bowl next to you as you begin to knead by hand.
- Knead the dough in the bowl by hand for at least 5-10 minutes, dipping your fingertips into the bowl of water as you knead. This will help create a smooth, elastic finish. You know your dough is ready when the surface is smooth and doesn't have pock-marks. The dough will feel slightly sticky as you knead it, but should not stick to your hands.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and cut with a knife (or separate by hand) into equal sized pieces - 8 for larger rounds or 20 for small pitettes. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and lay on clean dish cloth or floured cutting board or surface, keeping them covered with another cloth.
- Once all of the balls are rolled and resting, cover them with a clean cloth and lightly pat the cloth with water on your finger tips to keep them moist, or spray lightly with a water mister. Let the balls rest for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes rest, preheat oven to 450 degrees with a baking stone or pizza pan on bottom rack inserted.
- As the oven preheats, roll each ball on a lightly floured surface into a flat round, no thicker than 1/4". The thinner the round, the better your pocket. Turn them over to roll them, trying to keep the round as best you can. If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, dip your finger tips in a little flour and coat the surface of the round as you roll. Make sure the edges are rolled out equally and not thicker than the center. Lay each round on the cloth or floured surface to rest again as the oven preheats. Keep them in the order your rolled them.
- Once the oven is ready, bake each round (or several at a time depending on size) on your baking stone, being careful to place them BOTTOM SIDE UP for 90 seconds to 2 minutes. The rounds should start to bubble on top and will "poof" up with the pocket. Once the pocket is formed, remove them from the oven and place onto clean surface to cool. The bottoms will be just starting to brown as you remove them from the oven.
- Once completely cooled, they can be stored in a freezer bag and frozen until ready to use - they will thaw quickly on the counter.
QUICK PITA BREAD
Steps:
- Skip the yeast if in a hurry and it still works. Put all ingredients in mixer with dough hook. Work until a ball. Let sit for as long as you have. Cook on oiled heavy skillet.
Tips:
- To make softer pita bread, you can add 1/4 cup of melted butter or olive oil to the dough.
- If you don't have a stand mixer, you can make the dough by hand. Just be sure to knead it for at least 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- If you don't have a pizza stone, you can bake the pita bread on a greased baking sheet.
- Be sure to preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible before baking the pita bread. This will help to create a crispy crust.
- If you are using a gas oven, you can place a baking sheet on the bottom rack to help create steam. This will also help to create a crispy crust.
- Bake the pita bread for 8-10 minutes, or until it is golden brown and puffed up.
- Once the pita bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing it open.
- Pita bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Conclusion:
Pita bread is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It is perfect for sandwiches, wraps, and dips. It can also be used to make pizzas, quesadillas, and other dishes. With this easy recipe, you can make fresh, homemade pita bread in just a few minutes. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy bread recipe, give this pita bread recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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