Middle Eastern Thyme Breads Recipes

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the yeast sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of the warm water and set aside.
• Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and add in the salt. Make a well in the centre of the flour and pour in the yeast mixture and the remaining warm water.
• Knead together until the mixture forms a stiff dough.
• Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 10-15 minutes, adding in a tablespoon of olive oil to the dough to soften it.
• Wash and dry the mixing bowl and rub with a little of the olive oil. Return the dough to the ball and roll it around the bowl until well oiled. Cover with a clean cloth and set aside in a warm place to rise for 2 hours.
• Knead the dough again, then divide it into 10 portions.
• Roll each dough portion between your palms until smooth and round.
• Using a rolling pin, roll out each portion into a circle. Cover the dough circles and set aside for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F Place 2 large baking sheets in the oven to heat up.
• Brush the tops of each dough circle with a little of the olive oil. Mix the remaining olive oil with the thyme, marjoram and sesame seeds and spread the mixture evenly over the surface of each dough circle.
• Slide the dough circles onto the hot baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
• Remove and cool. Serve.

Steps:

• For topping, dry roast sesame seeds in a small frying pan for 3 minutes until golden.
• Cool and grind seeds in a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder.
• Add thyme leaves, sumac and salt and combine.
• Combine honey and water in a large bowl.
• Sprinkle with the yeast and stand in a warm place for 5 minutes until foamy.
• Stir in plain flour, salt, oil and 1 cup of the wholemeal flour until combined, then add remaining flour and knead until a stiff dough forms.
• Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 15 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic.
• Place dough in a large lightly oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat in oil.
• Cover and stand in a warm spot for 2 hours.
• Dough will double in volumne.
• Knock dough down, tip onto lightly floured surface and knead lightly til smooth.
• Divide into 16 portions.
• Roll each portion into a 5cm x 12 cm oval.
• Place them on a baking paper lined tray covered with a tea towel as you work.
• Heat a heavy based frypan over medium heat.
• Brush or spray pan lightly with oil.
• Cook breads, in batches, for 1 minute each side, then place on oven trays.
• Brush breads with a little olive oil and sprinkle with sesame-herb topping.
• Bake in a 200 degree C oven for 5 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
• Serve warm with Lebanese foods.

Steps:

• Drain & rinse soaked or tinned beans. Remove skins.
• Combine prepared ingredients and process in 2 lots using steel blade. Mix well to evenly distribute flavours, rest mixture 30 minute then fry as directed above.
• Let mixture rest for 30 minutes.
• With wet hands shape about a tablespoon of mixture at a time into thick patties about 4 cm (1-1/2 inches) in diameter. Place on a tray and leave at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Heat oil to 180C or until a cube of bread turns golden in 1 minute. Fry the Ta'miyyah a few at a time until deep golden brown, turning to brown evenly. Each lot should take 5 minutes to cook. Drain on paper towels.
• Serve hot with flat bread such as Khoubiz, Salata Tahina and assorted salad vegetables, such as tomato, cucumber, sweet peppers and lettuce.

Steps:

• Mix yeast with warm water in a large mixing bowl and allow to stand until a creamy layer of foam appears, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil, then gradually stir in flour and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth and just a little bit sticky, 10 to 12 minutes. Place dough into an oiled bowl and turn dough around in bowl to coat surface with oil; cover bowl and refrigerate dough overnight. (Dough should double in size.)
• Coat a 9x13-inch baking sheet generously with 2 tablespoons olive oil; place dough in the center of the baking sheet and flatten into a thick disk. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let double in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Use your palms and fingers to gently press and stretch dough to the edges of the oiled baking sheet, making the flatbread as even in thickness as you can. With fingertips, make small indentations in the dough. Brush dough with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Stir za'atar and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt together in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the flatbread. Let dough rest for 30 minutes uncovered.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bake flatbread in the preheated oven until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Steps:

• FOR THE DOUGH: In a small container stir together yeast & 1/4 cup warm water, then set asde for 5-10 minutes.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour & salt, then make a well in the center & pour in the oil.
• Work in the oil with your fingertips until completely absorbed, then add the yeast water & knead with your hands for several minutes.
• Gradually add another 1/4 cup warm water & knead until dough is smooth & elastic, then form into a ball, cover with a damp cloth & leave in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
• FOR THE TOPPING: In a skillet over medium heat, combine thyme, sumac & sesame seeds, stirring continuously until the aroma rises & the mixture is slightly toasted. Salt to taste & set aside to cool slightly.
• In a small bowl, mix together all the topping ingredients.
• Divide the dough into 4 equal portions & roll each into a ball.
• Dip the first ball of dough in flour on all sides, then shake off the excess before rolling it into a thin disk about 1/8-inch thick.
• Make a few dimples across the flat dough, pressing hard with the tips of your fingers (done to stop oil in the topping from running out during cooking), then spread a quarter of the topping over the disk of dough.
• Place a nonstick skillet over medium heat & cook the dough in the skillet, topping side up, for 3-5 minutes or until bottom is crisp & lightly golden.
• Repeat the procedure to make the rest of the breads.
• Serve hot or warm, either plain or with some yogurt or . . .