pita party

As requested by Shaina here is the delicious recipe that was given to me by a friend in Thunder Bay. It was found in the Woman's Day Magazine April 1981 by Beatrice Ojakangas

Pita – makes 8

1 cup lukewarm water ( 105^o to 115^o  )

1 package of dry yeast ( 2 ¼ tsp.)

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon each salt and oil

About 2 ¾ cups flour

( use 1 cup white and 1 cup Whole Wheat  - for WW pita)

In large bowl mix water, sugar and yeast well: let stand for 5 min. or until bubbly. Stir in salt and oil. Gradually stir in 2 cups flour or enough to make stiff dough. Turn dough out on lightly floured surface: kneed about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. (I add more flour as needed when I kneed) Place in lightly greased bowl, turn to grease top.

Cover and let rise in warm draft free place for 1 hr or until double in size.

Turn out on lightly floured surface. Cut into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten with fingers to 4 inch round; let rest 5 to 10 mins. Roll out each to 6-inch round about ¼ inch thick. Lace on heavily floured waxed paper or board (these will stick don’t skimp on the flour)

Cover with wax paper and towel. Let rise in warm place 30 minutes or until rounds look smooth and slightly raised.

Meanwhile place clean unglazed tiles or baking sheet in middle of lowest oven rack. Preheat oven 500 degrees. Preheat baking sheet or tiles for 20 minutes. Carefully transfer rounds flour side down on the baking sheet with a thin wooden paddle, very wide spatula or wide piece of cardboard. Be sure not to stretch them. The rounds need to be completely supported.

Bake 4-5 minutes or until loaves balloon and are very lightly brown. Remove from oven and cover with wax paper and towel. Pitas will deflate on their own.

** If you need an instructional video let me know and I'll make one