Puglia (the Italian region where I come from) is located at the heel of the boot, right in front of Greece. Back in the past, it was lived by Greek Colonies, which explains the great importance Greek culture still has in Puglia.
Pita bread is served at almost every meal in the Middle East, but it’s also quite common in my region.
Here in Shanghai I have looked for a good greek place for a long time but I haven’t been able to find any. Apparently, a great Greek cook, Kalamidas Panagiotis, that lives in Shanghai, will open soon a Greek restaurant, but till that happens I think I will have to make my own greek food.
Here is the Pita Bread recipe!
Ingredients (for 12 pieces of Pita Bread):
- 3 cups flour
- 1 package Instant yeast
- 1/2 warm water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup lukewarm water
Dissolve yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup warm water. Let it sit for about 10-15 min.
You should get this result
In a big bowl place flour, salt and yeast water.
Stir with a wooden spoon and slowly add the 1/2 cup lukewarm water. Then knead the dough till it gets elastic and smooth.
Coat a bowl with olive oil.Place the dough, turn it upside down till it is all coated.
Place in a warm place and let sit for about 1h30min (or till it has doubled in size).
Preheat the oven at 260 C (500F), place the rack at the very bottom of the oven. On a floured surface roll out the dough in the shape of a rope.
Cut it into about 12 pieces and roll out each piece into circles.
Bake each circle for about 4 min until the bread puffs up, then turn over for other 3 min.
I love eating pita bread with Hummus, or you can cut it in half and fill it in with some lamb and vegetable or with whatever you like better.
Each pita bread provides:
- Calories: 156 (from fat 4)
- Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.6 g
- Proteins: 4.6 g
