Simit Bread

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Simit bread is a popular Turkish bread that is similar to a bagel in shape and texture, but with a unique taste. The bread is typically covered in a mixture of sesame seeds and molasses, which gives it a sweet and savory flavor. Simit is often enjoyed as a breakfast food in Turkey, either on its own or with a variety of toppings such as cheese, jam, or honey. The bread can also be eaten as a snack or used as a base for sandwiches. Simit is a staple of Turkish cuisine and can be found in bakeries and street food stalls throughout the country.

Ingredients

31⁄2 cups flour1 teaspoon yeast1 tablespoon sugar1 teaspoon salt3 tablespoons oil

For The Tangzong Paste

3 tablespoons flour5 tablespoons water5 tablespoons milk

195ml Milk (3⁄4 Cup 1 Tablespoon)

Method:Make tangzong paste:Mix 3 tablespoons flour with 5 tablespoons each of water and milk until no lumps remain. Cook on medium heat stirring constantly to avoid burning. Cook till it becomes a smoothe thick paste. Remove it to a heat proof jug. Pour the 195ml milk and mix till smooth. Use this mixture to make dough.Make Dough :Mix together the dry ingredients (flour, yeast, sugar, salt), make a well in the centre, add oil and the milk mixture gradually till you get a shaggy dough and there’s no dry flour remaining. Transfer to a clean work surface and knead for about 10 minutes. Cover and let the dough rise till double in size.Divide into equal portions. And roll in to Balls. (I weighed 86g dough balls and got 11 simit breads out of this recipe).Keep them covered with a kitchen towel. Roll each dough into a 10cm cylinder.Then stretch and roll them individually till you get a long string like shape. (As shown in the reel). Shape in to simit breads ( watch reel for reference). Dip in molasses. I used a golden syrup mixture with water. Then roll in sesame seeds. Place on a baking tray. Proof for 15 minutes, then bake on 200C for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 190C and bake for a further 8-10 minutes or until golden. Enjoy warm.