Pita bread

Here is a simple recipe for making pita bread. This goes well with yogurt dip, hummus and even stuffed with falafel or vegetables.

Ingredients:

3 tsp package of yeast, or quick rising yeast
1/2 cup warm water
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp granulated sugar
1 cup lukewarm water


Method:

1.Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Let sit for 10-15 minutes until water is frothy.
2.Combine flour and salt in large bowl. Make a small depression in the middle of lour and pour yeast water and knead. Add more water and keep kneading until the mixture is elastic. This can also be done in a food processor.
3. Remove from food processor (if using it) and knead the dough thoroughly for around 10 minutes. It should not stick anymore and should be smooth and elastic.
4. Coat large bowl with vegetable/olive oil and place dough in bowl. Turn dough upside down so all of the dough is coated. Allow to sit in a warm place for about 3 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Once doubled, roll out in a rope, and pinch off 10-12 small pieces. Place balls on floured surface. Let sit covered for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 500 deg F. and make sure rack is at the very bottom of oven. Be sure to preheat your baking sheet also.
6. Roll out each ball of dough with a rolling pin into circles. Each should be about 5-6 inches across and 1/4 inch thick. Bake each circle for 4 minutes until the bread puffs up. Turn over and bake for 2 minutes.
7. Remove each pita with a spatula from the baking sheet and add additional pitas for baking. Take spatula and gently push down puff. Immediately place in storage bags.