6 Tips To Make Delicious Pita Bread At Home

Pita bread is a famous variety of bread which is made from wheat flour and a lot of yeast. These breads are extremely popular in Mediterranean countries and come in various versions and flavours. One of the most well-known versions of pita bread is the pocket-style pita bread inside, which can be filled with different types of stuffings. In many parts of the world, it is also known as Arabic bread, as it was invented by the Arabs in the Middle East. 

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The word Pita simply means flatbread, and this term was first coined by the Greeks. Known as the oldest variety of bread, pita bread has been around the globe for at least 4000 years now. Taste-wise, this bread is pretty neutral, just like a lot of other breads. The texture is chewy and semi-dry. This type of bread is considered ideal for gravy or a stuffing filled with bold flavours. Here are some amazing tips for people who are planning to make pita bread at home.

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* Type of Ingredients

The secret to making any flavourful and soft bread lies in the usage of high-quality ingredients. As pita bread is made from wheat, a person needs to ensure that they're using the right type of wheat flour. Some people also like to make pita bread with all-purpose flour. In this case, one should always go for fresh and high-quality all-purpose flour. Yeast is also a very important part of the baking process, and using fresh yeast will make a world of difference. Using high-quality ingredients will ensure that the person achieves the desirable taste and texture without much hassle.

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* Kneading Technique

Kneading the dough while making bread plays a very important part in the development of the gluten in the dough. It helps give the dough the needed elasticity and structure. This is going to take 8 to 10 minutes with the help of hands and 5 to 7 minutes if one wants to use a mixer. To make a proper dough, one has to combine flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and water. If one is mixing the flour in a grinder, then one must make sure that the speed is extremely low at the beginning. Once everything is mixed properly, the speed can be set to medium for five minutes. Remember that the dough for the bread is always quite sticky.

* Let The Dough Rest

After one is done with kneading, the dough should be left to rest for at least a couple of hours. This time, it is very important to let the door rise properly. The dough should be left in a dark corner covered with a cotton cloth or plastic wrap that will help retain its moisture. In case it is really hot outside, the dough can be left for 30 minutes to 45 minutes. On the other hand, if the temperature outside is pleasant and not high, then the dough should be left for at least an hour. A person should remain flexible as per the temperature.

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* Rolling The Dough Evenly 

Now that the do is properly set, it is important to divide it into equal portions. One can do this with the help of a knife or with hands only. The dough then has to be transformed into the shape of walls. Each ball has to be rolled out in a circular shape, and all of these circular bread doughs need to have an even thickness. ¼ inch thickness is considered perfect for bread as it is not too thin, not too thick. Although it is not compulsory, try to ensure that all the circles are properly shaped to give a more aesthetic look.

* Preheat Oven

Preheating the oven is also extremely important to prevent the bread from not being cooked properly. One should always preheat their oven to a high temperature, preferably 245°C. This will help in creating a hot surface for the bread and the steam that is required for the proper puffing and cooking of the dough. One can also pre-heat their baking plate or stone beforehand, as it will be extra helpful. 

* Keep Checking The Bread 

During the baking, one must keep a close eye on the bread. Pita bread usually doesn't take a lot of time to rise and cook properly. So it is always better to be more careful and observant when the pita bread is inside the oven. Once a nice golden colour is visible and the bread has been puffed properly, it is time to take it out of the oven. Overbaking the bread and keeping it inside the oven for too long may make it extremely dry or brittle.