Pitta bread

la_farfallina

Does anyone know of a brand of pitta bread that doesn't split the moment you try to fill it? I have tried Asda and Tesco so far and they all split, even if I warm 'em up a little first.

Farf x

fuzzyfelt_2

I've found the same thing and shop bought ones are so small compared the lovely ones you can get in Greek or Turkish restaurants. This is why I've started making mine! They're really easy and freeze well. Do you have a bread machine?

yorkshirecath

Ooo would love the recipe for making them?!
I have a bread machine

fuzzyfelt_2

Okay, here we go. This is originally from a M&S recipe book. Add the following to your BM pan in the usual order for your machine:

210ml / 7.5 fl oz tepid water
350g strong white bread flour
1.5 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp easy blend yeast
1 tbsp oil - extra virgin olive oil is best for the flavour

1. Set your machine to the dough setting.
2. When the dough is done, knock it back and divide into 4 (for large) or 6 (for medium) equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and set aside on an oiled tray, covered with clingfilm or a tea towel for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 230c, 450f or GM 8 and place 2 baking trays in the oven.
4. Take each piece and flatten them slightly on a lightly floured surface. Roll out each piece either into a round or oval shape about 0.5 cm thick - not too thin or they will be crispy not soft and fluffy.
5. Slap them on the preheated baking sheets and bake until they puff up and look golden (around 5 minutes).
6. Wrap then in a clean tea towel to help them soften - they can be served straight away or cooled and frozen for later use. They soften up again when they're heated up

Delicious dipped in houmous or tzatziki or stuffed with falafel or haloumi cheese.

yorkshirecath

Brill, thanks!

lucylema

I don't have a bread maker and haven't made bread before but I would love to make these. How do I make the dough by hand?

NickiM

I've made them by hand before, it is just like making bread. There is a pitta bread thread somewhere, I'll try and find it for you.

NickiM

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=434620&highlight=pitta

Teria

What are the home made ones like cold for packed lunches?
I'm using the small Tesco wholemeal ones for my littluns packed lunch at the moment, the only way I can persuade them not to split is to cut them in half and not try and cut them along the side, but you can't get much filling in them this way.

By the way, the easiest way I've found to cut them is to use a very sharp pair of scissors, they fall apart as soon as you cut them with the kife.

lightisfading

Sounds strange but I find the ones you buy in corner shops / mini markets quite good....the ones that last months and months unopened!

(I also warm them up under the grill BEFORE cutting them open... they tend to 'bubble' in the middle which makes them easier to split)

nick_b

Hi, the best ones I've had are from Aldi. They're nice and big and don't split like you said some do.