Indulge in the rich flavors of Turkish cuisine with this delightful Turkish bread recipe. Whether you’re pairing it with savory dips or enjoying it as a standalone treat, this recipe promises to elevate your dining experience.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Sesame seeds or nigella seeds for topping (optional)
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
- Add the salt and olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir well.
- Gradually add the flour to the mixture, kneading it until a soft and smooth dough forms. You may need to adjust the amount of flour slightly depending on the humidity of your kitchen.
- Once the dough comes together, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and continue kneading for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles and divide it into equal-sized portions, depending on how big you want your bread to be.
- Shape each portion into a round ball and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between each ball.
- Cover the dough balls with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- If desired, gently brush the tops of the dough balls with water and sprinkle sesame seeds or nigella seeds on top for added flavor and texture.
- Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Once baked, transfer the Turkish bread to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.
- Enjoy your freshly baked Turkish bread warm with your favorite dips, spreads, or as an accompaniment to your favorite Turkish dishes. Afiyet olsun! (Enjoy your meal!)
