SIMITS ( Bagels ) are a very popular snack in Turkey which is lovely to eat at any time of the day and especially for breakfast. Street vendors tour round the housing estates to sell warm simits first thing in the morning, straight from the local bakers. Simit sellers even keep slices of cheese and boiled egg along with the simits for those who didn't have time for breakfast before leaving home. You are sure to have a good breakfast on the go with fresh simit, cheese and egg.
This is the first time I made simit and very pleased that they turned out nice. My family's comments were: "they taste just like the ones we buy in Turkey", which is a great compliment.
Below makes 10 simits.
INGREDIENTS
- 450 g strong bread flour
- 2 level tsp salt
- 7 g easy bake yeast
- 250 ml warm water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp pekmez or molasses
- 1 cup hot water
- 200 g sesame seeds
METHOD
1) Sift the flour with salt. Add yeast and mix well.
2) Mix honey, oil and water in a jug.
3) Make a well in the centre of the flour and pour the liquid in gradually to make a firm dough. Start kneading and stretching for about 10 minutes. Add more flour if it is too sticky.
4) Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a greased bowl. Cover with cling film and place it on a warm corner in your kitchen for 2 hours, until the dough doubled in size.
5) After 2 hours, punch down and knead the dough briefly.
6) Divide the dough into 10 equal chunks then divide each chunk into 2 small balls. Roll each ball into 25-30 cm long log. Then twist two logs together into a plat. Squeeze and seal the ends together with a splash of water. As you make one simit, keep the other chunks of dough covered with a clean tea towel. Repeat with rest of the dough to make 10 simits. Place the simits into the baking tray, cover with tea towel and allow to stand for 1 hour.
7) When the dough is nearly ready, mix molasses or pekmez with hot water and mix well.
8) Then dip each simit, first in the pekmez and water mixture and then roll the simits all over in the sesame seeds, in a large tray.
9) Place the simits back in the baking tray lined with grease proof paper. Let the simits rest further 30 minutes before baking.
10) Place 2 cups of water in an oven proof dish and place it at the base of the oven.
11) Cook simits in preheated oven 220 C, 200 Fan setting for 15- 20 minutes.
12) Cool them on wire rack before serving.
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