9/26/10

Making pita bread at home- you can do it!


Have you made the Fresh artisan bread yet? If you have I am sure you are hooked and have a batch of dough in the fridge so this is going to be really easy for you. If you have not tried this bread take a look at this post and make a batch of the dough and then come back to this post.

Making pita bread is fairly easy. I can't remember the last time I bought pita bread we are spoiled and love warm fresh pita from the oven. Since I have a batch of dough in the fridge most of the time I can crank out a couple of pitas on the fly, and so can you!

Pita

Use 1 pound of the Boule dough
Flour for dusting
  • 20 minutes prior to baking, preheat the oven to 500 degrees with a baking stone.
  • Just before baking cut off 1 pound piece of dough. Dust the piece with flour and shape into 4 to 6 balls or one large ball (depending on what size you would like your pita). 
  • Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a round with uniform thickness of 1/8" throughout. Really thin but not transparent. If you don't get it thick enough it will not puff (it will still taste good). Do not slash the top.
  • Turn on your vent above your stove or open a door because any excess flour will make smoke in the oven. Slide the pita directly on the hot stone and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until lightly browned and puffed.
  • Wrap in a clean cotton dish towel and set on a cooling rack when baking is complete. The pitas will deflate slightly as they cool. There will be a space between the crusts but you may have to nudge it apart with a fork.
To store leftover pita place in a ziplock bag so that it will remain soft.

You can also use your grill to cook pita, this is not a part of the original recipe. If you are grilling out and want to cook your pita on the grill instead of the oven follow all the instructions above until you get to placing your pita in the oven. Place foil down or if you have a grill stone even better, place the pita dough on the foil. Cook for 3-4 minutes, do not walk away from the grill they will burn quickly.

I hope you give this a try the fresh pita is delicious and fun to make.

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