After a stressful day back at school (& the kids are not even back yet!) I have to admit when I got home the last thing I wanted to do was cook dinner. I could have happily slobbed on the sofa with a takeaway, but I made myself go to the kitchen and prepare dinner as I find cooking therapeutic and soothing for the soul. When I'm cooking I get lost in my own little world and forget my worries. Recently I've also putting music on while in the kitchen and today was the turn of Mr Tennant...well not literally (I wish!)...but music from the last episode of Dr Who. There is something about this piece of music that makes me smile.
One of the best stress relieving recipes is bread making. Even when I use the KitchenAid to knead the dough I like watching the ingredients combine and transform to a lovely soft dough. Tonight some serious therapeutic bread making was called for, so out came my recipe for pita bread to accompany the veggie bean burgers I was making.
I thought I loved pita bread from the shops until I made my own. I could easily eat it hot from the oven and slathered in butter. Hubby has the same love. After reading Bread Matters (a highly recommended, eye-opening read) I've become more determined to make more of less all of the bread we eat. This has to be one of the easiest bread recipes I know. I've submitted my pitas to YeastSpotting. They featured my Tiger Bread a few weeks back and it's becoming a regular haunt for me as it is great inspiration.
Pita bread
Makes 4 large pitas
150 ml warm water (50ml boiling, 100ml cold water)
1 tsp dried yeast
pinch of sugar
250g strong white bread flour
pinch of salt
15g butter, softened
1) In a jug mix warm water, yeast and sugar together. Leave for 15min for a froth to form on the top.
2) Preheat oven to 220oc. In a bowl mix together flour, salt and butter. Gradually stir in the yeasty water until you have a nice dough. Knead for 10 min by hand or 2 min in the mixer.
3) Split dough into 4 pieces and roll each into a sausage shape. Flatten each piece of dough with a rolling pin, until it is about 5mm thick. Place on a floured baking tray. Once all pieces of dough have been formed and placed on the baking tray, dust with flour and bake for 8-10 until puffed and golden.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Perfect Pita Pockets
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15 comments:
I make nearly all of our own bread, but not tried pita bread yet. I think I'll try it this weekend after seeing yours Jules.
So easy, so good, and so versatile. Your pitas look delicious as I'm sure they were with the bean burgers!
We must be thinking along the same lines. I made pitas yesterday. I use Farmgirl Fare's recipe. There so yum, arent they. We had ours with leftover roast from Sunday and fresh cukes and tomatoes. Yum. Its so simple but always a hit here.
Back to school already - thats really early. Mum isn't back until the 8th. I love pitas but have never made them - want to give them a go I think!!
Jules, I'm back to work on the 9th and our students are coming back a couple of weeks later, so even though I have a little bit of time left yet I don't know where the summer has gone this year!
I'm like you, most days I find cooking after a day at work helps me wind down. the pita pockets look great. I've never tried making my own, but it's definitely on my to-do list.
I love making fresh pita, such a quick and tasty bread for dinner. Yours look wonderful!
absolutely lovely - didnt realize it was so quick - have to try this - thank you!
I love making homemade pita bread too! Our recipes look fairly similar, only I'm using American units, so if any of your readers need help with the conversions, check here:
http://straightfromthefarm.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/homemade-pita-bread/
I love drizzling my hot-out-of-the-oven pita with honey. It's highly addictive!
Sounds delicious - I'm definitely linking to this post! Can't wait to try out the recipe!
There's nothing more therapeutic than chopping after a hard day's work. I'm beginning to take to kneading too. Your pittas look delicious!
I only recently ventured into bread making and am loving how much better it tastes than shop bought- they pitta breads are next on my list to go with a bean chilli I just made for tomorrow :)
Thank you all for your lovely comments. I think I'm addicted to pita making now. Since posting this pita post I've made them twice more!
I've found pita from supermarkets in this country to be universally disappointing (whereas there were quite a few good ones available back home in South Africa). I do love pita though, so maybe baking my own is the way forward - thanks for the inspiration :)
I've only made them once, when we were doing Arabian food. Yours look great! Think I might have to try it again - you've inspired me.
Jeanne - they are certainly worth making.
Amanda - the best tip I can give is to make sure you oven is hot and pre-heated. As I've found out they don't rise as well other wise.
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