🍞 Turkish Bread (Pide / Yumuşak Ekmek)
Turkish bread is a soft, fluffy, slightly chewy flatbread that is often oval-shaped and slightly leavened. It’s commonly served alongside meals, used for sandwiches, or for dipping into dips like hummus.
📝 Ingredients (Makes 2 medium loaves)
- 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp / 7 g) active dry yeast
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1½ cups (360 ml) warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: sesame seeds or nigella seeds for topping
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Activate Yeast
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast.
- Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2️⃣ Make Dough
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until dough forms.
3️⃣ Knead
- Knead on a floured surface 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1½ hours until doubled in size.
4️⃣ Shape Loaves
- Punch down dough and divide into 2 pieces.
- Shape into oval loaves and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Optional: brush with water or egg wash and sprinkle seeds on top.
5️⃣ Second Rise
- Cover and let rise 20–30 minutes.
6️⃣ Bake
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake 15–20 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
7️⃣ Serve
- Cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with meals or use for sandwiches.
🔥 Tips
- For a fluffier interior, cover the dough while baking by placing a small oven-safe bowl of water in the oven to create steam.
- Poke small holes in the dough with a fork to prevent large air bubbles.
- Use a baking stone for a crispier bottom crust.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- With grilled meats, kebabs, or stews
- Use as a sandwich bread with meats, cheese, and vegetables
- Serve with dips like hummus, baba ganoush, or tzatziki
- Toast lightly for breakfast with butter and honey
I can also give a soft, chewy Turkish pide bread recipe with yogurt for extra tenderness, which is common in restaurants. Do you want me to share that version?
