Easy Turkish Bread Recipe (Bazlama)
Ingredients:
- 500g all-purpose flour (about 4 cups)
- 1 packet (7g) instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 300ml warm water (about 1 ¼ cups)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 200ml plain yogurt (about ¾ cup)
- Extra flour for dusting
- Butter for brushing (optional)
Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
2. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Add the yogurt, olive oil, and the yeast mixture to the flour.
- Mix everything together using a spoon or your hands until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle with a little extra flour while kneading.
4. Let the Dough Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and leave it in a warm place to rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
5. Shape the Dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 6-8 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten them into discs about 1 cm (½ inch) thick.
6. Cook the Bread:
- Heat a non-stick skillet or a griddle over medium heat.
- Cook each piece of dough for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown spots appear and the bread puffs up slightly.
- Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.
7. Optional Step:
- If desired, brush the warm bread with melted butter for extra flavor.
8. Serve:
- Serve the Turkish bread warm with olive oil, cheese, or your favorite dips.