Simit is a traditional Turkish bread. It is shaped like a ring with a crunchy crust that if often encrusted with sesame seeds.
Course Bread
Cuisine Turkish
Keyword Bread, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Vegan
Servings 10Pieces
Calories 260kcal
Author Syama
Ingredients
4CAll purpose or Bread Flour, plus little more as needed
1TbspYeastor 1 pkt
1TbspSugar
1 ¼CWaterDivided Use
11/4TspFine Sea Salt(8g)
2TbspOlive Oil
For Crust
½CWater
2TbspGrape MolassesNotes
½CSesame seeds
Instructions
Activate the yeast
Heat 1 ¼ C of water till it is just warm to touch (100 – 110 F).
Mix 1 tbsp sugar with ¼ C water and sprinkle the yeast on top. Set aside for 10 minutes until the yeast is bloomed and the mix is bubbly.
Make the dough
By handMix 4 C flour and salt together. Make a well in the middle and add the activated yeast, oil and ½ c of water. Start mixing the flour and water together. Add more of the remaining water as needed and continue kneading. After about 10 minutes of kneading the dough should feel soft and supple.
By machine.Add ¾ C of water, activated yeast liquid, oil, 4 C four, and salt into the mixer bowl. Set the mixer on low and mix for 30 seconds. Most of the flour will be mixed in at this point. Scrape the sides if needed and knead for 1 to 2 minutes. If needed add more of the water and knead for an additional minute or 2 until the dough formed feels soft and supple.
Bulk ferment or First Rise
Form into a ball and transfer to an oiled bowl. Turn the dough so that all sides of the dough are coated with oil. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk – about 1 hour.
Shape
Punch down the dough and divide into 10 equal pieces. Roll out each piece into 24-inch-long ropes. Fold each rope in half and twist – as you twist the ropes tend to stretch a bit more (see shaping video).
Bring the ends of the twisted rope together into a ring and pinch the ends to close.
Repeat with all the pieces
Mix the molasses and water in a shallow pan like a pie dish. Place the shaped simit in the molasses solution. Flip to coat all sides with the solution. Gently take out allowing the excess moisture to drain out. Place it on the sesame seeds and flip to coat all sides.
Rise and bake
Arrange on the baking sheets. Keep covered and let rise in warm place for 20 to 30 minutes or until almost doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 400F. Bake the risen simits for around 15 minutes (ovens vary, so check these around 12-minute mark) until browned.
Remove from the oven and cool on rack.
Notes
Use high protein AP Flour or bread flour.
Grape or pomegranate molasses are usually used. When not available substitute regular molasses or even honey
Check the video for shaping
Disclaimer: The calorie information is approximate, it will vary based on the actual ingredients used.