The Easy Turkish Bread recipe is an inviting foray into the world of homemade breads, offering a straightforward approach to creating a soft, fluffy interior encased in a beautifully golden, slightly crispy exterior. This bread, known for its distinctive, slightly chewy texture and rich, yeasty flavor, is a staple in Turkish cuisine and has gained popularity worldwide for its versatility and delicious taste.
The process begins with the preparation of a simple yeast mixture, combining warm water and sugar to activate the yeast, ensuring it becomes frothy and alive, signaling it’s ready to use. This step is crucial for achieving the bread’s signature rise and airy texture. To this mixture, flour—typically all-purpose for its reliable gluten content which contributes to the bread’s structure—is added along with salt, which not only enhances flavor but also regulates yeast activity, and olive oil, lending a subtle richness and moisture to the dough.
Kneading is an essential step in the recipe, where the dough is worked until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process develops the gluten strands, giving the bread its characteristic chewiness and structure. After kneading, the dough is allowed to rest and rise, a period during which the yeast ferments the dough, producing gases that inflate it, doubling its size and imbuing it with a light, porous structure.
Shaping the dough into rounds or oblongs and then making deep impressions with fingertips creates the Turkish bread’s signature dimpled surface, which not only adds to its rustic appearance but also serves as pockets for holding olive oil, herbs, or other toppings. Before baking, a glaze of water or milk is often brushed on the surface to achieve a shiny finish, and sometimes, a sprinkle of sesame or nigella seeds is added for extra flavor and texture.
Baked at a high temperature, the dough puffs up dramatically, the crust turning a deep golden brown while the inside remains tender and airy. The aroma of freshly baked bread, combined with the earthy notes of olive oil and the nuttiness of the seeds, fills the kitchen, making the wait to slice into the loaf almost unbearable.
This Easy Turkish Bread is incredibly versatile, perfect for tearing and sharing, serving alongside dips like hummus or baba ganoush, wrapping around kebabs and falafel, or simply enjoying as is, savoring the blend of simple ingredients elevated through the magic of baking. The ease with which this bread can be made, coupled with its delicious and comforting qualities, makes it a favorite for both novice bakers and experienced cooks looking to bring a piece of Turkish culinary tradition into their homes.
HOW TO MAKE TURKISH BREAD ?
Mix yeast and salt into flour with a whisk. Add the warm milk and water and knead just until the liquids are absorbed.
Mix in the olive oil and knead until the dough is smooth (around 10 minutes).
Make a ball out of the dough, cover it with vegetable oil, and set it aside in a warm place for an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
When the dough has risen enough, divide it into six pieces and roll each one into a ball.
Each flatbread should be rolled out and put on a pan with medium-high heat.
Take 5–6 minutes to cook (2.5-3 minutes on each side).
Each flatbread should make a pocket in the middle when you flip it over.
Spread oil on each hot flatbread, then sprinkle parsley and chili flakes on top.