Recipe: Simit (Turkish Sesame Crusted Bread)

Simit are a popular Turkish circular bread encrusted with sesame seeds with a crunchy crust, ideally served with feta or hummus and tomatoes.

METHOD

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix sugar, yeast and warm water. Wait a few minutes for yeast to froth and activate.
2. Add in 4 cups flour, oil and salt to yeast mixture.
3. Knead the dough using the dough hook until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky -approx.8 minutes.
4. Preset oven to bread rise programme if available
5. Place mixing bowl with dough  into oven and set timer for 40 minutes or until doubled in size (otherwise cover and  put dough in a warm place)
6. Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a pan, until golden brown and warm the molasses with 1/3 cup water. Set aside.
7. Once dough has doubled in size, punch the dough down and divide it into 16 equal pieces
8. Roll out with your hands, 2 pieces into approx. 25 cm length tube shapes and lay them parallel to each other. Twist the two rolls together. Meet the ends and pinch them together to form a ring.
9. Repeat with the remaining 14 pieces to make 7 more rings.
10. Dip each ring in molasses and water mixture then in the toasted sesame seeds, ensuring they are well covered with sesame seeds and place on an oven tray lined with baking paper.
11. Prove again for 20 minutes.
12. Turn the oven to Hot air/Circulaire function at 200 degrees C and apply rapid preheat. (if the oven has this function).
13. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the simits are golden brown and fully cooked.