This chewy flatbread topped with za'atar, a spice blend of wild thyme, tangy sumac, and toasted sesame seeds, can be grilled outdoors or oven-baked and finished in a grill pan. This recipe first appeared in our May 2013 issue with Gabriella Gershenson's article The Promised Land.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4-oz. package active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tbsp. kosher salt, plus more
- 4 cups bread flour, plus more for kneading
- 1⁄3 cup olive oil, plus more for greasing and grilling
- 1⁄2 cup za'atar seasoning
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
Step 1
Combine yeast, sugar, and 1⁄2 cup water heated to 115° in a bowl. Let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Combine 1 tbsp. salt and 1 cup warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook; mix until salt is dissolved. With the motor running, slowly add flour in 3 batches and yeast mixture in 2 batches. Add 2 tbsp. oil; mix until a soft, sticky dough forms. On a floured surface, knead dough until smooth, 5-10 minutes. Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Step 2
Heat oven to 350°. Punch dough down; knead for 5 minutes. Divide into 6 pieces and roll each piece into a ball; place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let sit in a warm place until doubled in size, 20-25 minutes.
Step 3
Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, dust dough heavily with flour and roll into a 7" circle, about 1⁄8" thick. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake, flipping once, until puffed, 3-5 minutes. Transfer pita to a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm.
Step 4
Mix remaining oil, za'atar, juice, zest, and salt in a bowl. Heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat. Working with one pita at a time, cook, flipping once, until puffed and charred in spots, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and brush generously with za'atar mixture.
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