Turkish Ramadan Flat Bread (Pide)

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. Step 2

   Place flour and dry yeast in a large bowl, mix to combine.

3. Step 3

   Add the warm water and milk, and combine lightly with a fork.

4. Step 4

   Add the softened butter or margarine and olive oil, as well as the sugar and salt, and combine.

5. Step 5

   Knead the dough. You can knead with a mixer or by hand . If you are using a mixer, process the dough for about 10 minutes using the dough kneading hook. If you choose to knead by hand, knead the dough in the bowl for 15 minutes.

6. Step 6

   Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and continue to knead for about five minutes more. The dough should be very soft. If it’s too firm, knead in another tablespoon of olive oil until smooth.

7. Step 7

   Transfer the dough to a plate or bowl, cover with a damp cloth and set aside in a warm place. Allow to rise for about two hours.

8. Step 8

   After the dough has doubled in size, fill a shallow metal baking tray or cookie sheet with water and place it in the bottom rack of the oven. Preheat oven to 430 F/225 C.

9. Step 9

   After two hours, the dough should be about double in size. Remove the cloth and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into two pieces with a dough cutter or sharp carving knife.

10. Step 10

    Shape your 2 loaves using your fingers. Make each loaf flat and either oval or round, about 1/2 inch thick.

11. Step 11

    Place each loaf on a metal baking tray sprinkled with flour, or lined with parchment paper.

12. Step 12

    Using a sharp knife dipped in flour, first cut about 1 inch in from the edge to make a circle all the way around the loaf. Then, inside the circle, make diagonal cuts in opposite directions to make a diamond pattern. Do the same with the other loaf.

13. Step 13

    In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt and egg yolk . Using a pastry brush, coat the top of the loaves generously with the yogurt-egg mixture.

14. Step 14

    Sprinkle the sesame and nigella seeds evenly over the tops.

15. Step 15

    Bake in the preheated oven with the water tray for about 30 minutes or until the top becomes deep, golden brown. Serve the bread hot out of the oven.