Best Simit Bread Recipes

SIMIT (TURKISH SESAME BREAD RINGS)

Steps:

• Toast sesame seeds in a dry frying pan over low heat until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Keep a close eye as they change color very quickly.
• Combine flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the flour mixture and add water, milk, melted butter, and olive oil; stir well until dough pulls together. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
• Place dough in a large, lightly-oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Divide dough in to 8 parts and roll each part into a 6- to 8-inch long rope. Join ends together and seal to form a ring. Place rings on prepared baking sheet, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Brush rings with beaten egg and sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden and crusty, about 20 minutes.

SIMIT BREAD

Steps:

• Tip the flour, salt and sugar into a bowl and mix together. Add the yeast and 150ml warm water, mix, then knead for a few mins to bring everything together into a soft dough. Tip onto your work surface and continue kneading for 10-12 mins until the dough feels stretchy. Return to a clean bowl, cover and leave to rise for an hour or two until doubled in size.
• Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan until golden. Set aside in the pan. Mix the molasses syrup or pomegranate molasses with 50ml water in a wide shallow bowl.
• Divide the dough into four equal pieces. Roll each into a sausage about 45cm long. Flip the rope of dough back on itself then twist the two strands and loop into a ring, squeezing the ends together to secure. Once shaped, dip each piece into the molasses water, turning to coat, then into the sesame seeds, making sure each one is well covered. Transfer to a baking tray, cover and leave to prove for another 45 mins-1 hr. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• When the breads have puffed up, uncover them and bake for 15-18 mins until golden. Cool, then wrap in a tea towel to keep them fresh. Can be made up to a day ahead and warmed gently before serving.

SIMIT BREAD - SESAME RINGS

Steps:

• 1. Add the sugar and 1/4 cup lukewarm water in a small bowl, then sprinkle over the yeast.
• 2. Set yeast mixture sit for 8 minutes, (until foamy) then add another 1 1/4 cups of lukewarm water.
• 3. Combine the flour and salt in a bowl, then add the yeast mixture and stir to form a coarse dough.
• 4. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• 5. Roll the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat well.
• 6. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
• 7. Preheat the oven to 425 F and line a large size baking tray with baking paper.
• 8. Punch down the dough on a lightly floured work surface and divide it into 10 even sized pieces.
• 9. Combine the Pekmez with 1/3 cup of water in a large bowl and set aside.
• 10. Place the sesame seeds on a large plate.
• 11. Working with one piece of dough at a time, use your hands to roll the dough out to make 22″ long ropes.
• 12. Fold in half so that the two ends align, then lift off the board and use your hands to twist each rectangle into a two stranded "rope".
• 13. Place back on the work surface and join the ends together to make a circle, pressing the ends firmly together to seal.
• 14. Repeat with the remaining dough. (10 rope circles)
• 15. Next you will dip each ring, into the Pekmez mixture, making sure to completely coat the dough, then drain well and toss in the sesame seeds, remember to be gentle.
• 16. Transfer the Simit bread to the prepared tray and set aside at room temperature for 20 minutes, to puff slightly.
• 17. Bake in the oven for 18 minutes, or until deep golden and cooked through.
• 18. Now transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool.

SIMIT (TURKISH BREAD RINGS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
• In a bowl, mix the flour and salt together, and make a well in the middle.
• Melt the margarine/butter, then mix with the oil, milk, water and egg.
• Pour the egg mixture into the well in the flour, and mix well to form a dough.
• Shape the dough into rings about 4" in diameter.
• Grease baking sheet, and lay the rings on it.
• Brush the rings with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
• I think these are best eaten hot or while still warm.