Saluf bi hilbeh (flat bread with fenugreek &

Yield: 12 Servings

Ingredients:

1 pk Active dry yeast
1 1/2 c -Warm water
2 c Plain flour
2 c Wholemeal flour
1/2 ts Salt

Instructions:

Oil or ghee Hilbeh Makes 12 loaves Oven temperature: 260øC (500øF) Cooking time: 4 minutes each lot Soak yeast in 1/4 cup water and stir to dissolve. Sift flours into a mixing bowl remove 1 cup flour and keep aside. Blend remaining water and salt into yeast liquid and pour into flour. Mix in a little of the flour to thicken liquid cover and leave in a warm place for 10-15 minutes until frothy. Blend in remaining flour in bowl then beat by hand for 10 minutes or on electric mixer using dough hook for 5 minutes. Turn onto a floured board and knead in enough of the reserved flour to make dough smooth and satiny. Return to bowl sprinkle top of dough lightly with flour and stretch a sheet of plastic film over top of bowl. Leave in a warm place until doubled in bulk - about 30 minutes. Preheat oven. Punch down dough and turn out on board. Knead a little then divide into 12 equal portions. Place a heavy flat griddle or baking sheet on centre shelf in oven and heat for 10 minutes. Grease with a wad of paper towelling dipped in oil. Roll out each portion to a 15 cm (6 inch) round and prick with a fork. Brush top lightly with oil and spread on 1 teaspoon hilbeh. Lift 2 loaves onto a lightly floured flat-edged baking sheet or plywood board and slide onto heated griddle or baking sheet. Bake in hot oven for 4 minutes. Top may be lightly browned under a hot grill. As breads are removed wrap in a cloth to keep them warm and soft. Serve warm. NOTE: If breads begin to puff up during cooking press top with a folded cloth. Breads should be bubbly but should not form a pocket. Source: The Complete Middle East Cookbook by Tess Mallos Typographical errors courtesy of Karen Mintzias