Turkish Sesame Bread, also known as Simit, is a deliciously chewy bread encrusted with sesame seeds, often enjoyed as a snack or breakfast item in Turkey.
This bread has the appearance of an over stretched bagel.
By name it is a bagel but not made the traditional way of boiling the rings before baking, but shaped to rise then baked in the oven.
These oblong ring shaped bagels are light, crusty and delicious. Dipped in a sweet molasses syrup and smothered with sesame seeds for extra flavour and then baked until golden.
You can also shape the dough into twisted rope circles see below.
Enjoy eating this bread with a garlic or hummus dip, za'atar, olives and fresh salad.
INGREDIENTS FOR BREAD
3.5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup wholewheat flour ( optional or make 4 cups all purpose flour)
10g or 1 tbsp instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon granulated or raw sugar
1 cup lukewarm water approximately, may need more depending on the flour you use
3 tbsp light tasting oil (sunflower or grape seed)
1/2 cup molasses plus 2 tablespoon filtered water (mix together)
1 cup sesame seeds
METHOD
*In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar. Mix to combine.
*Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the oil, gradually add lukewarm water slowly. Stir until a dough forms.
*Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for this step.
*Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
*Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into equal-sized portions. Roll each portion into a long rope, about 25cm or 10 inches in length.
*Twist each rope into a circle, overlapping the ends slightly, and press the ends together to seal.
*Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
*Place the sesame seeds in a shallow dish. Brush each formed bread ring with the molasses syrup, then dip it into the sesame seeds, coating it generously.
*Place the coated bread rings onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
*Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
*Once baked, transfer the bread rings to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.
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