Serving the Guest: A Sufi Cookbook
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be less than your hunger for bread.
Cooling: 1+ hour
2 tsp. yeast
1 tsp. sugar
3 tbsp. olive oil
3+ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
¼ cup sesame seeds
¼ cup poppy seeds
In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, sprinkle in the yeast, and set it aside until it bubbles. Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, make a well in the center, and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir vigorously in one direction, until the ingredients are well-blended and the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for at least 10 minutes, adding more flour a tablespoon at a time, until the dough is smooth. Clean out the bowl, oil it lightly, then put the ball of dough into the bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp dish towel. Set in a warm spot to rise until the dough is twice its original size, from 1-2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 450°F and position two racks in the center. Since lavash is thin, the racks can be close together.
Knead the dough briefly and divide it into 12-16 pieces. Sprinkle the work surface and a rolling pin with flour, then roll each piece into a thin 8x3" square. Peel the dough off the surface and transfer it to a lightly floured baking sheet. Prick holes in the dough with a fork, brush or spray it lightly with water, then sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, or a combination of the two. Three pieces of dough should fit comfortably on a large baking sheet. Once the first sheet is full, put it in the oven to bake for 3-5 minutes, until it is golden brown; continue to roll and bake until all are finished. Let the breads cool completely before serving with soup, cheese or spreads.
from Serving the Guest: A Sufi Cookbook
Copyright © 1999, 2000 by Kathleen Seidel
Sources of previously published material by other authors used by permission, and print sources for images, may be found at http://www.superluminal.com/cookbook.