Foodie Blogroll

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Syrian Bread


When I was a child growing up in west Michigan we had a neighbor that lived at the end of our street, that would make Syrian bread. Occasionally she would bring us some and I loved it. I never did get her recipe. When I was young I didn't cook much, and that was mostly due to the fact that my mom was such a good cook. When she did let me help it was usually my job to make the salad....and I hated making salads. I had to tear the lettuce so it wouldn't bruise and it seemed no matter how much I tore at it, the big salad bowl never got full.

Then she would let me brown the ground meat for spaghetti bolognaise or chili or something. She asked me to season it...oh now this was interesting to me. I started to sprinkle the usual salt, pepper and garlic powder. That was good, but I wanted to see what a little of this and a pinch of that might do...over the years when I learned a little more about herbs and spices (which I love and have a passion for) she would call me into the kitchen and would ask if I wouldn't mind seasoning whatever it was that she was making for dinner.



Actually I don't know what that has to do with anything other than that is a bit on how I got started experimenting with different recipes and made them my own. I haven't really thought about Mrs Ansara's Syrian Bread until I ran across this bread on Treat and Trick...and what luck, it was a bread machine recipe!!! Whoo hoo!!

Into the bread machine:
1 1/8 cup warm water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons yeast

Hit the dough cycle.
Preheat oven to 400 degree F.
When the cycle is complete punch down dough and divide into 8 and make into balls. Roll each ball out into about a 6" circle, (mine ended up being a little more rectangular),
Brush tops with melted butter and bake (probably will only be able to bake a couple at a time) 8 minutes and then flip and brush other side with the butter and bake for another 5 minutes.





While I baked some I also did what she did and made some on the griddle about five minutes each side. You can tell when they get done with the little golden spots that start to appears. I topped some of them with ...black and white sesame seeds, garlic, and sea salt (I keep this blended and in a jar to use on many things). On a few others I topped with zaatar seasoning (also a blend that I've made), but didn't get a picture of those. I guess they tasted too good hot off the grill to stick around for a photo op!





Some more backyard (well actually this is my front yard) photos. I saw some seed pods or tunas on my cactus. I thought this was a Trichocereus pachanoi ( San Pedro) cactus, but it seems it gets confused with T. peruvianus (Peruvian Torch) one or the other is said to contain mescaline even though in small amounts...and since I am not sure. I will stick to my prickly pear cactus and wait for those to fruit! :)

I have heard that they rarely produce this sweet fruit. One split open yesterday and it looks like the white dragon fruit inside. Still it looks pretty cool against the bright blue sky!

18 comments:

  1. This looks just like a Turkish pide, very nicely done, Lyndsey :D)!!

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  2. That looks so flavorful and perfect. Love the cactus!

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  3. Perfect as to go with any dips or a rich stew :)

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  4. Thank Lyndz for sharing this Syrian bread. I've learned something new here again. Btw, I have never eaten those cactus fruits before. Hope to try it out someday. Slurp...
    Hope you're having a wonderful week ahead, dear.
    Blessings, Kristy
    p/s will write soon.

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  5. this looks like a beautiful bread....

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  6. I am a bread nut. I love all kinds of bread. Never tried this one before. My bread machine has collected cob webs cos never use it for umpteen years. Now there is a reason for me to take it out and clean it up so that I can try this recipe.

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  7. Love that you make it in the Bread machine, meaning I can try this recipe.
    Great photo of the cactus.
    Rita

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  8. wow awesome bread and cool cactus so much can grow in your garden

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  9. Thanks for trying this recipe dear, love the topping with sesame and zaatar. Never seen such a beautiful cactus fruit!

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  10. I have never heard of Syrian bread. Thanks for sharing

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  11. I like bread machine recipes as well. They are so easy to put together. The Syrian bread looks awesome, especially the pan fried ones! Curious as to how large those cactus fruits are. Are they edible?

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  12. Check out your cactus! Those are pretty cool :) Loving this bread too. It looks SUPER yummy. I'd proly eat like 12 of them...

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  13. This bread looks so good...nothing like bread machine so some help.
    Beautiful pictures of the cactus.
    Hope you are having a great week Lyndsey :-)

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  14. i'm not sure if my previous comment went through... anyway i said that looks delicious (: it reminds me of indian naan!

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  15. i love to make breads, thanks for sharing this recipe. When you mentioned you fry some, is that after the bake or you dont need to bake them and sent it straight to the pan?

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  16. CG - thanks so many of the flat breads are so similar.

    Belinda - thanks!

    3HT - I could think of a few things I would like to dip it in.

    Kristy - no I haven't tried the fruit yet, not sure if I could.

    Peachkin - thank you

    Veronica - this is similar to many breads, but it makes it so easy for me to use my bread machine.

    Rita - That's how I can make it too! :)

    Rebecca - There really is so much that grows here...so fun to watch.

    Treat and Trick - Thanks for the recipe and your tip on baking them stove top!

    tigerfish - you're welcome, hope you get to try it.

    Biren - not sure if they are edible, but they look like dragon fruit inside...the white ones with all the black seeds.

    Parsley Sage - Ha! so nice of you to say. I'll have to think of more toppings to try!

    Juliana - thanks for stopping by again. I have been using the bread machine for the dough cycle for many breads then bake other ways in the oven...or stove top.

    Shu Han - Your other comment cam through, but I just published this one first. I have another recipe for Olaga bread that is similar too. It does look like naan.

    Jay - thanks for the nice comment!

    lena - I made some just on the griddle pan and baked the bread that way, never went in the oven. Sorta like making english muffins or some other flat breads.

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  17. This bread looks great! I love all the seasoning on top...yum!

    The cactus looks amazing. So neat!

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