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675 plain flour
2 sachet dried yeast
425 ml lukewarm water
45 ml vegetable oil
2 teaspoons sea salt
60 ml water
60 ml Pekmez (or molasse)
sesame seeds
Today we bake Simit, delicious Turkish bagels with sesame seeds. In Turkey these bagels are eaten for breakfast, in combination with tomatoes, cucumber, black olives and a glass of Çhay (Turkish black tea). There you can buy these popular sandwiches everywhere on the street, at a cart or from a vendor who carries the bagels on his head. :)
We bake the Turkish Bagels because on June 15 Sugar Festival starts and you will love to eat these delicious breads after the fasting of lately!
How to make Simit
Warm the 425 ml water until it is lukewarm.
Make a well in the flour, add yeast + 225ml lukewarm water.
Add the oil and the salt, stir all until combined.
Turn on the mixer, slowly add the remaining lukewarm water.
Knead the dough firmly by hand until it feels supple and smooth.
Grease a clean bowl lightly, put in the dough, cover with cling film.
Allow the dough to rise for one hour, at room temperature.
Knead the dough, cut in 6 even pieces, weigh if necessary.
Roll each piece of dough into a long snake then fold it in half.
Turn both ends of the snakes in opposite directions.
Bend the rolls into a circle then press the ends neatly together.
Combine the Pekmez with 60ml water.
Dip in the dough circles.
Place on waxed paper on a baking try.
Sprinkle the Simit with sesame seeds then allow the simit to rise another hour
Preheat the oven to 220°C
Bake the Simit in 20 - 25 minutes golden brown.
Allow the Simit to cool on a wire rack.
Eat the Simit with tomato, cucumber and black olives or with jam and tea ;) Tomorrow we make a spicy humus, also not a bad combination with a Simit bagel.
Eid Mubarak to all!