Simits Recipes

SIMITS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of flour, yeast, and salt. In a small saucepan, heat milk, butter and oil to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Add egg; beat on high 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. Punch down dough. Divide and shape into 8 balls. Push thumb through center of each, stretching and shaping to form an even ring with a 2-in. hole. Place on a floured surface. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rest 15 minutes., In a shallow bowl, whisk warm water and molasses. Place sesame seeds in a separate shallow bowl. Dip bagels in molasses mixture, then roll in seeds to coat., Place 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

SIMIT BREAD

Steps:

• Tip the flour, salt and sugar into a bowl and mix together. Add the yeast and 150ml warm water, mix, then knead for a few mins to bring everything together into a soft dough. Tip onto your work surface and continue kneading for 10-12 mins until the dough feels stretchy. Return to a clean bowl, cover and leave to rise for an hour or two until doubled in size.
• Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan until golden. Set aside in the pan. Mix the molasses syrup or pomegranate molasses with 50ml water in a wide shallow bowl.
• Divide the dough into four equal pieces. Roll each into a sausage about 45cm long. Flip the rope of dough back on itself then twist the two strands and loop into a ring, squeezing the ends together to secure. Once shaped, dip each piece into the molasses water, turning to coat, then into the sesame seeds, making sure each one is well covered. Transfer to a baking tray, cover and leave to prove for another 45 mins-1 hr. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• When the breads have puffed up, uncover them and bake for 15-18 mins until golden. Cool, then wrap in a tea towel to keep them fresh. Can be made up to a day ahead and warmed gently before serving.