Arabian pita bread is a type of bread that is common in middle Eastern cuisines and that is basically an integral part of any meal in this region. It is a leavened bread that is basically made using yeast, water and wheat flour. The high temperature used in making the bread turns the water into steam which makes the bread to puff up forming a pocket. The pocket is often used as a sandwich or for making shawarma.
Making Arabian pita bread at home is a rewarding experience that allows you to indulge in the delightful flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine. A word of advise when making Arabic pita bread, make sure that the bread is cooked on high temperature for it to inflate evenly. Otherwise it may not inflate or inflate partially. By following these simple recipe steps, you can create soft and fluffy Arabic pita bread at home that will impress your family and friends.
How to bake Arabian pita bread
Making pita bread at home is a rewarding experience that allows you to indulge in the delightful flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine. By following these simple steps, you will can learn how to create authentic pita bread to impress your family and friends. You can also check out these recipes for other types of bread; Delicious and healthy Oats Butternut Chapati (flat bread), Whole meal unleavened flatbread (Chapati). For a serving of approximately 10 breads, you will need the following ingredients to make Arabian pita:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1 1/4 cup white all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 1/2 cup of warm water
Instruction:
Step one: Activating the yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water and instant yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
Step two – Prepare the dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix the ingredients using a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
Step three – Knead the dough
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Add a little flour if the dough is too sticky or a few drops of water if it is too dry. Kneading develops the gluten, which gives the bread its characteristic texture.
Step four – Let the dough rise
Place the dough in a clean bowl lightly greased with olive oil, turning it to coat all sides. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step five – Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a baking stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
Step six – Shape the dough
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release any air bubbles. Transfer it to a floured surface and divide it into 10 equal-sized pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and let them rest, covered with a cloth, for about 20 minutes.
Step seven – Roll out the rounds
Take one ball of dough and flatten it with your hands into a disk shape. Using a rolling pin, roll it out into a circle about 6-8 inches in diameter. Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls.
Step eight – Bake the pita bread
Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough rounds onto the preheated baking sheet. Bake for 3-5 minutes, or until the bread puffs up and forms a pocket, and the edges turn lightly golden brown. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft texture.
Step nine – Keep the pita warm
As each pita bread comes out of the oven, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel to keep it warm and prevent it from drying out. The trapped steam will help keep them soft and pliable.
Step ten – Enjoy and serve
Arabian pita bread is best enjoyed fresh and warm. Serve it with your favorite dips, fill it with grilled meat, falafel, or fresh vegetables to create delicious sandwiches, or simply savor its wonderful flavor on its own.
Arabian pita bread is a type of bread that can be eaten in many different ways. Here are a few common ways to enjoy it:
1. Roll up your pita bread and dip it into your favorite sauce for a dish like no other. You can also cut it long strips and it with beef stew.
2. When I have no bread in the house, I use pita bread as a sandwich for my breakfast.
3. If you don’t have a pizza crust, just put tomato sauce or pesto on a pita bread. Then, add your favorite toppings such as cheese, olives, bell peppers, onions, and herbs. Bake it in the oven until the cheese melts. Now you have a quick and tasty pizza!
4. Not sure what to prepare for dinner? Pita bread can help! Enjoy it with soups or stews. Cut it into strips or wedges and toast it in the oven until it becomes crispy. The toasted pita bread can be used as a crunchy side dish to soak up the delicious broth of the soup or stew.
5. Shawarma in a pita bread is unbeatable. It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy pita bread. Simply fill the bread with thinly sliced and fried chicken breasts, along with some veggies and indulge in a tasty meal. The best part is, this dish is easy to take with you for lunch. Just pack it into a lunchbox and bring it to work.
Arabian pita bread is best enjoyed fresh, soft and warm. A cold one will do no harm though! As the bread comes out of the oven, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel to keep it warm and prevent it from drying out. The trapped steam will help keep them soft and pliable.
How to bake authentic Arabian pita bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups Whole wheat flour
- 1¼ cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp Instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1½ cups warm water
Instructions
Step 1: Activate the yeast
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and instant yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
Step 2: Prepare the dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Create a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Mix the ingredients using a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 3: Knead the dough
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Add a little flour if the dough is too sticky or a few drops of water if it is too dry.
- Kneading develops the gluten, which gives the bread its characteristic texture.
Step 4: Proof the dough
- Place the dough in a clean bowl lightly greased with olive oil, turning it to coat all sides.
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 5: pre-heat the oven
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a baking stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
Step 6:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release any air bubbles.
- Transfer it to a floured surface and divide it into 10 equal-sized pieces.
- Shape each piece into a ball and let them rest, covered with a cloth, for about 15 – 20 minutes.
Step 7: Roll out the dough rounds
- Take one ball of dough and flatten it with your hands into a disk shape.
- Using a rolling pin, roll it out into a circle about 6-8 inches in diameter.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls.
Step 8: Bake the pita bread
- Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough rounds onto the preheated baking sheet
- Bake for 3-5 minutes, or until the bread puffs up and forms a pocket, and the edges turn lightly golden brown
Step 9: Keep the pita warm
- As each pita bread comes out of the oven, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel to keep it warm and prevent it from drying out. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Arabian pita bread is best enjoyed fresh and warm. Serve it with your favorite dips, fill it with grilled meat, falafel, or fresh vegetables to create delicious sandwiches, or simply savor its wonderful flavor on its own.
- Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft texture.
- Remember to wrap the bread in a clean kitchen towel to keep it warm and prevent it from drying out. The trapped steam will help keep them soft and warm.
