Pita

Instructions

Make sponge:

1. In a large mixing bowl of a mixer add 1 cup lukewarm water and stir in yeast and sugar until dissolved.
2. Add ½ cup flour and whisk together.
3. Place the mixing bowl in a warm place, uncovered to form a lose sponge.
4. Give it 15 minutes or so, the mixture should bubble.

Form the pita dough:

1. Add salt, olive oil and almost all the remaining flour (keep about ½ cup of the flour for dusting later).
2. Turn the mixer on low until mixture forms a shaggy mass
3. Dust with a little flour, then continue to knead the mixture inside the bowl for about a minute to incorporate any stray bits.

Knead the dough:

1. Turn the mixer on low, Knead lightly for a couple minutes or so until smooth.
2. Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes, then knead again for a couple more minutes.
3. The dough should be a little bit moist, you can help it with a little dusting of flour, but be careful not to add too much flour.
4. Let the dough rise.
5. Coat a bowl lightly with extra virgin olive oil and put the dough in the bowl.
6. Turn the dough a couple times in the bowl to coat with the olive oil.
7. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap then lay a kitchen towel over.
8. Put the bowl in a warm place.
9. Leave for 1 hour or until the dough rises to double its size.

Divide the dough.

1. Deflate the dough and place it on a clean work surface.
2. Divide the dough into 7 to 8 equal pieces and shape them into balls.
3. Cover with a towel and leave them for 10 minutes to rest.

Shape the pitas.

1. Using a floured rolling pin, roll one of the pieces into a circle that’s 8-9 inches wide and about a quarter inch thick.
2. Repeat with the other pieces of dough.

To bake pita in the oven:

1. Heat the oven to 475 degrees F and place a heavy-duty baking pan in the middle rack to heat.
2. Working in batches, place the rolled-out pitas directly on the hot baking baking sheet (I was only able to fit 2 at a time).
3. Bake for 2-3 minutes on one side, and then, using a pair of tongs, carefully turn pita over to bake for 1-2 minute on the other side.
4. The pita will puff nicely and should be ready.
5. Place baked pitas in a warm second oven, over the vent from the oven or in the microwave.