Khoubz (Arab Flat Bread)

Bread is considered a direct gift from God.Bread is held in such high regard in the Middle East that it is said that if a piece of bread is found lying on the floor, it is immediately picked up, a blessing i said, and put respectively on a table.There are many types of breads available in the Middle East:leavened and unleavened, sweet and savory but none as more ubiquituos as the flatbread khoubz or eish shami as it is known in Egypt or as is most commonly called outside the Middle East, "pita" bread.

Although widely available commercially, most people in the Middle East prefer to make their own bread.Khoubz is traditoinally baked in a clay-lined oven called a tannour.It is eaten with every meal.A meal is never complete without the presence of bread.Bread also serves a dual purpose as an eating utensil.It is used to scoop up food from a dish.If you want to make fresh Arabic flatbread below is the recipe plus I included a video showing the traditional way of making bread using a tannour.



Servings:8 flatbreads

Ingredients:

2 c flour

2 1/4 tsp.yeast

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/4c hot water

1-1 1/2c flour



1. Combine the first four ingredients in a large bowl and mix well for about 1-2 minutes.

2.Add the remaining flour and knead making a soft, sticky dough.

3.Put the dough on a floured work surface and continue kneeding for 5 minutes more.

4.Divide into 8 equal sized balls and roll out each on by hand to about 1/4" thick and about 6" diameter.

5. Place flatbreads on lightly oiled baking sheet and let rise in a warm place for 25-35 minutes.

6.While waiting preheat oven to 450F.

7. Place flatbreads in oven for 5 minutes, then turn over for another 5 minutes.Then remove from oven.

8.Serve immeediately or store flatbreads in an airtight container till ready to eat.