ITALIAN PITA BREAD RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 430 degrees.
• Dissolve the yeast in1/2 cup of warm water and let it ferment for 10 minutes.
• Using an industrial mixer, add the flour into the metal bowl then stir in the yeast, sugar and oil.
• Add the salt, then it's time to knead the dough after this is blended evenly.
• Make sure you use a dough hook attachment if you don't have that you will have to knead this by hand for at least 10 minutes until its smooth.
• This dough will be soft.
• I usually place this on top of my stove with it on to rise on the stovetop.
• Cover it with an oil sprayed piece of plastic wrap and a soup pot cover.
• After this rises an hour, divide the dough into 16 to 18 pieces and make them into a ball.
• Then roll them into around 1/4 to 1/2 inch in thickness with a floured board using a rolling pin.
• You can mist each one with water or oil.
• Baking or Stovetop Methods:
• I have made this 3 different ways.
• On top of the stove in a cast-iron pan, waffle iron, or baked-on cookie sheet.
• Baked them on a pre-warmed cookie sheet sprayed with oil at 430 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.
• Shape dough into (10 or 12) 2-inch round flat balls on a floured work surface.
• Cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise 15 minutes.
• Roll balls into 1/4-inch-thick circles.
• Let rise again for around 20 minutes.
• Spray or brush the cast iron skillet with canola oil, and heat over high heat.
• Place rolled circle dough on the skillet.
• Cook 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side, or until pita is puffed, pushing on puffed pita with a spatula to cook edges.
• Repeat with remaining dough circles, continue spraying the pan in between pita.
• The panini maker or waffle iron looks funny but tastes great, add the dough to a greased waffle iron and bake until both sides are browned around 3 minutes to 5 minutes depending on thickness..
• Pita bread Uses:
• Sandwiches
• Pizza with Garlic or Tomato Sauce
• Pita Chips
• Toast
• Topped with Salad

Steps:

• Place flour, brown sugar, warm water, salt, olive oil and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.
• Place pizza stone in oven and preheat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Oven must be preheated at least 30 minutes before baking.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Form dough into two loaves. Place the loaves seam side down on a cutting board generously sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
• In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the risen loaves with egg mixture. Make a single long, quick cut down the center of the loaves with a sharp knife. Gently shake the cutting board to make sure that the loaves are not sticking. If they stick, use a spatula or pastry knife to loosen. Slide the loaves onto the pizza stone with one quick but careful motion.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.