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Fresh Pita





Yields
Makes 6 pita breads (serving size: 1 pita)




Total Time
2 hrs

Greek pita are tender and fluffy and don't make a pocket like Arab-style pita. They're fine made ahead and rewarmed to eat, but when fresh off the grill, they're ethereal. This recipe comes from Souvla, the spit-roasted meat restaurants in San Francisco. The pita are delicious with Souvla's grilled pork souvlaki--or any other grilled meat or vegetables.

This recipe goes with: Grilled Pork Souvlaki with Fresh Pita

su-Fresh Pita




Photo: Thomas J. Story

 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 cups unbleached bread flour, divided
  About 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 pkg.) instant (not active dry) yeast
 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus about 4 tbsp. for oiling bowl and brushing pita
 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
  About 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
Step 1
1

Put 3 3/4 cups flour on a countertop or in a large bowl, make a well in the center, and sprinkle flour with 1 1/2 tsp. salt. Fill a separate bowl or glass mea­suring cup with 1 1/2 cups warm (105° to 115°) water and evenly sprinkle with yeast, then whisk in yeast. Whisk in 1 1/2 tbsp. oil and the honey. Slowly pour liquid into well, mixing in flour from sides, until dough comes together in a shaggy mass.

Step 2
2

Put dough in bowl of a stand mixer and mix with dough hook until smooth and stretchy, about 10 minutes. Or, knead dough on a lightly floured surface (or in bowl set on a nonskid surface), sprinkling with just enough extra flour to keep it from sticking (using too much flour will toughen the bread).

Step 3
3

Put dough in a large oiled bowl (about twice the size of dough), turn to coat, and let rise in a warm room-temperature place, covered, until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 4
4

Cut dough into 6 equal pieces or turn out onto a floured surface and cut into 6 equal wedges. Form into balls, brush with oil, and let sit, covered with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, 15 to 20 minutes so gluten can relax.

Step 5
5

With a floured rolling pin, roll balls into 8-in. rounds. Brush each with a bit of oil (including on edges and sides) and sprinkle with a little oregano and salt, stacking them on a baking sheet as you go. You can either grill immedi­ately or let sit up to 30 minutes at room temperature, covered with a kitchen towel.

Step 6
6

To grill pita, invert as many as will fit on cooking grate, oiled side down. (They'll stretch out a little, but that's okay.) Grill until bubbled on top and light golden brown underneath (don't overcook or they'll be tough), then turn over and cook until lightly browned on other side, 1 1/2 to 3 minutes. Lift to a rimmed baking sheet as done and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm. If needed, rewarm on grill before eating.

7

Make ahead: Fully baked, up to 2 days, chilled; rewarm before eating. Frozen, up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0


Amount Per Serving
Calories 425Calories from Fat 26
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 1.9g10%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 375mg16%
Total Carbohydrate 64g22%

Dietary Fiber 2.4g10%
Protein 11g22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.