Tuscanflatbread Recipes

CLASSIC TUSCAN FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Pour 1 cup lukewarm water into small bowl; sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until yeast dissolves, about 10 minutes.
• Place 2 cups flour in large bowl. Make well in center of flour. Pour yeast mixture into well. Using fork, stir until dough comes together. Knead in bowl, adding enough flour 1/4 cup at a time to form slightly sticky dough. Transfer to floured work surface. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Coat bowl with 1 tablespoon oil. Add dough; turn to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let stand in warm draft-free area until doubled, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Brush 11-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom or baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil. Punch down dough. Turn out onto floured work surface and shape into 11-inch round. Transfer dough to prepared tart pan or baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic. Let rise until dough is almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Press fingertips into dough, creating indentations. Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt. Bake until golden, about 28 minutes. Cool bread in pan on rack 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan; cool completely.

TUSCAN FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Cook chicken your favorite way. I boiled it on the stove until tender, in a combo of chicken broth and water until just barely done in the middle -- remember, it will be baked in the oven later. Cool and cut in bite-size pieces. This step can be done in advance.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Mix together flatbread ingredients - a food processor is ideal. When it's done, a ball will form.
• Spread dough as thin as possible, to cover a greased baking sheet or pizza stone, and then spread 1 T olive oil over it.
• Bake crust for 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, combine topping mix ingredients in a bowl. Mix with your hands if you like -- how often do you get to play with your food?.
• When the crust comes out of the oven, spread the topping mix on it, followed by the mozzarella. Put it back in the oven to bake another 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
• Slice and enjoy!

SAMOON (IRAQI FLATBREAD)

Steps:

• Whisk flour, powdered milk, yeast, sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Add butter and mix with your hands until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Gradually add water to flour mixture, using your hands to mix well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
• Lightly oil a large bowl with vegetable oil. Place dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Gently punch down dough. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces and form into balls. Cover with a light cloth and let rest 15 to 20 minutes. Dough may expand, but it's okay if it does not.
• Place a ball of dough on a lightly floured surface and press with the palm of your hand. Bring two opposite sides of dough together and pinch. Repeat with remaining opposite sides. Pull and press dough to form a flat, elongated diamond-like shape. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover with a cloth and let rest at least 10 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Mix water, flour, and sugar for paste in a small bowl. Brush over flatbreads and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Bake flatbreads in the preheated oven in batches until golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes.