2 tb Sesame seeds 2 c Unbleached flour
1 c Warm water (105 F to 115 F) 1 ts Salt
1 Envelope dried yeast 1 tb Oil
1 ts Sugar Flour
1 c Cake flour
Makes 8 5-inch rounds
Oil
Lightly oil 2 baking sheets and large bowl; sprinkle sheets with half of
sesame seeds. Combine water, yeast and sugar and let stand 5 to 10
minutes.
Steel knife: Place cake flour, 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour, salt and yeast
mixture in work bowl. Blend well using on/off turns. Add remaining flour
by tablespoonfuls (it may not be necessary to use all of it), incorporating
after each addition with 3 to 4 on/off turns. Dough should be sticky but
not wet; check consistency by touching. When dough is proper consistency,
add oil and let machine run about 40 seconds (or no more than 60 seconds)
to knead. (Dough will appear smooth.) Place in prepared bowl, rotating so
all surfaces are coated with oil. Cover with damp towel, set in a warm
place, and allow to double in bulk, about 1 hour. When dough has doubled,
punch down. Allow to rest 30 minutes in bowl on counter top.
Place racks on upper shelves and preheat overn to 500 F. Lightly flour
board and place dough on flour. Cut in half, then cut each half into
quarters to make 8 equal pieces. Flatten each piece with palm of hand,
then roll into a circle no more than 5 inches in diameter. Place on
prepared sheets and sprinkle with remaining 1 Tbs sesame seeds, lightly
pressing seeds into both sides of dough. Bake about 8 to 10 minutes, only
until delicately browned. Do not overbake; these are better slightly
doughy. (It may be necessary to reverse the sheets after 6 minutes to
brown the pita evenly.) Allow to cool slightly. Cut pita in half with
scissors and separate opening. Wrap in foil to maintain freshness if not
served immediately.
Yields
8 servings