Iranian Flatbread Recipes

LAVASH MIDDLE EASTERN BREAD

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a measuring cup, combine yeast, water, and sugar. Mix until yeast is dissolved. Set aside.
• Coat a large bowl with oil. Set aside while the yeast begins to bubble and show activity, 6 to 10 minutes.
• In another large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
• Add yeast-water-sugar mixture and form a dough.
• Knead dough for 10 to 15 minutes by hand or 5 to 8 minutes using a dough hook on medium speed in a stand mixer, until the dough is smooth and shiny.
• Once the dough is kneaded, place the ball of dough in the oiled bowl. Roll the dough around the bowl to coat it with oil.
• Cover and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size.
• Once the dough has doubled, punch it down to release air.
• Continue to knead for about 5 minutes.
• With lightly floured hands, roll the dough into 8 equal sized balls of dough and transfer to a lightly floured bowl or plate. Lightly flour the tops of the balls as well.
• Cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes. Position two racks in the top and center parts of the oven and heat to 475 F.
• Once the balls of dough have risen, roll them out on a lightly floured work surface into thin rectangles, about 9 x 7 inches. They should be as thin as pizza dough.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment and transfer as many rectangles as will fit in one layer (you might only be able to fit 2 at a time). Puncture the entire surface of the rectangles with the tines of a fork.
• Brush dough with water and sprinkle with sesame seeds and poppy seeds, if desired.
• Start with the baking sheet in the center of the oven for 4 minutes, then move it to the top rack for 3 or 4 minutes until starting to brown and puff in places. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Eat while still warm or when cool. Enjoy.

IRANIAN FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. I use my kitchenaid. Slowly add the warm water and mix to a dough consistency.
• Knead 5-10 times on a floured board and place back in bowl to rise in a warm place. I oil the bowl first to keep from sticking.
• Allow to rise in a warm place for about an hour.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
• Divide dough in half and roll out each piece into a rectangular slab approximately 1/4 - 1/2" thick.
• Bake in preheated 500 degree oven on the top shelf until nicely browned. Flip over to the other side and do the same. Repeat with the second slab. I brush with a small amount of melted butter to keep soft. Cover with a tea cloth to keep warm until ready to eat.

LAVASH

Steps:

• Add the flour into the bowl of a stand mixer and make a well in its center.
• Add the salt into the center of the well and start kneading at medium speed, gradually incorporating the water.
• Kneading must be very fast and the dough must be soft and homogeneous.
• The dough must come off the edges of the bowl.
• Leave the dough in the bowl and cover it with plastic wrap.
• Let it rest in a warm place away from drafts for 30 minutes.
• Finely spread the dough on a lightly floured work surface and fold it in 4, by folding the sides inwards. Let it rest again for 30 minutes in a warm, draft-free place.
• Repeat this process 4 times in total with 4 rest periods in order to make the dough very elastic.
• Preheat the oven to 430 F (220˚C) for 30 minutes (if oven baking is chosen)
• Divide the dough into 3 or 4 dough pieces and roll them up.
• Roll out the dough very thinly, to about 1/16 inch (1,5 mm) thick. Give it a square, rectangular, round, or oval shape of your choice.

TAFTOON - PERSIAN WHOLEMEAL FLAT BREAD

Steps:

• Sift the flours into a large mixing bowl.
• Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of the warm water; add 1 1/2 cups of the remaining water and the salt.
• Pour the yeast mixture into the center of the flour and gradually work in.
• Beat with your hands for 20-30 minutes, or use the dough hook on an electric mixer and beat for 20 minutes, gradually adding in as much of the remaining 3/4 cup water as the dough will take (as the dough is beaten it will be able to take a little more water).
• Preheat oven to high (around 450 degrees F or more), and place a griddle on the center shelf to preheat for 10-15 minutes; when hot, lightly oil with a small cloth dipped in oil.
• Turn the dough out onto an oiled board (no need to proof the dough); oil your hands and divide the dough into 6 parts, rolling each piece into a ball.
• Roll out each ball as thinly as possible with an oiled rolling pin and prick all over with a fork or pinwheel, in 3-4 vertical lines across the surface.
• Take the round of dough and stretch it a little across the backs of your hands, and place dough on the smooth side of a cushion or pad.
• Pull the rack out where the heated griddle is on, and turn the cushion over and press down onto it.
• Close the oven and cook 1 minute, then pat down dough to prevent bread from puffing up.
• Bake until surface is bubbly (about 3 minutes), then turn bread over and cook 2 minutes more.
• Remove bread from oven and wrap in a towel.
• Allow oven temperature to reheat before starting another.
• Do not allow rolled dough to rest before baking; prepare just before putting in oven.