Delicious Pita Bread

I love pita with my hummus and Tzatziki. It reminds me of Trini sada roti but the ingredients and method are a bit different. I use my stand mixer for this recipe (using the dough hook), but if you don’t have a mixer, you can knead by hand. You would also need a cast iron skillet to grill the bread. This pita is easy to make and tastes so much better than the store bought versions! This is pictured with my Chicken Kebab and Tzatziki recipes!

Makes 8 small – medium sized pitas

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (approximately .25 oz packet)
• 1 cup warm water (approximately 90 degrees F)
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (more may be needed)
• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil (more needed for grilling)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp olive oil (for dough rising period)

Instructions:

1. Add 1 cup of warm water and yeast to stand mixer. Whisk together.
2. Add 1 cup flour and whisk until flour is incorporated. Leave mixture in a warm area for 15 – 20 minutes to rise and activate yeast.
3. Add 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil and salt to the mixture and stir. Next, add 1 cup of flour and using the dough hook mix on low speed until incorporated. The dough should be sticky at this point.
4. Mix in flour a little at a time, continuing to use the dough hook at low speed until you have a soft, supple, slightly sticky dough. I usually use an additional 1/2 – 3/4 cup of flour. If the dough is still sticking to the sides, add a little more flour.
5. Knead the dough on low speed for an additional 6-8 minutes until soft and springs back at touch.
6. Form dough into a ball. Spread 1 tsp of olive oil on the inside of the mixing bowl and use to coat dough all around.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in warm oven (100 degrees F) for approximately 2 hours.
8. After 2 hours, dough should be double in size. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat dough until it becomes a flat disc.
9. Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces and form into round balls. Pinch and tuck the dough to form the round ball.
10. Cover the balls with oiled plastic wrap. I also add a tea towel over the wrap for extra warmth. Let the balls sit for 30 minutes. They would have risen further.
11. Roll the ball into a round disc and let it sit for 5 minutes. In the meantime, heat a cast iron skillet and brush with olive oil.
12. Place the pita into the pan and cook for about 2 – 3 minutes. Air bubbles will form as the bread begins to puff up. Brush oil on the top side and flip the bread. Cook another 2 minutes.
13. Flip the bread back to the original side and cook another 30 seconds – 1 minute. Press down on the ends to try and get the pita to puff up with air.