Middle Eastern Thyme Breads

Name: Middle Eastern Thyme Breads
Prep time: 180 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 16 breads
Cuisine: Lebanese Coastal & Mountain
Ingredients: 2 tsp honey; 1.25 cup warm water; 1 tsp yeast; 1 cup plain flour; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 cup whole wheat flour; 2 tbsp sesame seeds; 0.25 cup thyme leaves; 1 tsp ground sumac; 0.5 tsp sea salt

Honey, sesame seeds and thyme roasted in the oven and spiced with sumac for a Lebanese bread. Finish with sesame-herb topping.

3 hr 20 min · Serves 16 · Takes some skill

Method

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Time: Prep 180 min · Cook 20 min · 200 min total
Difficulty: hard

1
For topping, dry roast sesame seeds in a small frying pan for 3 minutes until golden. Cool and grind seeds in a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder.
3 min
2
Add thyme leaves, sumac and salt and combine. Combine honey and water in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the yeast and stand in a warm place for 5 minutes until foamy.
5 min
3
Stir in plain flour, salt, oil and 1 cup of the wholemeal flour until combined, then add remaining flour and knead until a stiff dough forms.
4
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 15 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic.
15 min
5
Place dough in a large lightly oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat in oil. Cover and stand in a warm spot for 2 hours.
120 min
6
Dough will double in volumne. Knock dough down, tip onto lightly floured surface and knead lightly til smooth.
7
Divide into 16 portions. Roll each portion into a 5cm x 12 cm oval. Place them on a baking paper lined tray covered with a tea towel as you work.
8
Heat a heavy based frypan over medium heat. Brush or spray pan lightly with oil. Cook breads, in batches, for 1 minute each side, then place on oven trays.
1 min
9
Brush breads with a little olive oil and sprinkle with sesame-herb topping. Bake in a 200 degree C oven for 5 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Serve warm with Lebanese foods.
5 min