Pita Bread

Makes 8 pita breads

• 1 cup water (110-115 degrees F)
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast

If you are using a bread machine, place the ingredients into the pan of the machine in the order listed and set the machine on the dough cycle. If you are making your dough by hand, combine the first 4 ingredients together in a large bowl. Add 1 cup of the flour and the yeast, stirring to mix. Add the remaining flour and knead to make a soft dough, about 10-15 minutes. Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl. Cover and let rise until double, about an hour.

Place a pizza stone on the bottom rack of your oven and preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Turn the dough out of your bread machine, or the bowl, onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces and form each piece into a smooth ball. Set the balls of dough aside, covered with a towel for about 10 minutes to rest. This should make it easier for you to roll out each ball into a flat, round disk, about 6-7 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick.

Set the rounds aside on a lightly floured pan or counter top, covered loosely with a towel for 10-15 minutes. Place 2 dough rounds on the pizza stone, side-by-side. A quick spritz of water into the oven will create some moisture and help the texture of your pita breads. Bake for 3 minutes and then flip the bread and bake for another 1-2 minutes. Your breads should be lightly browned on each side.

Remove the breads to a pan lined with a damp towel. Cover with another damp towel and allow the breads to cool completely. Cut the breads in half, or split one edge and fill as desired.