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Simit

Simit is a Turkish ring-shaped bread made with a thick crust of sesame seeds, also called gevrek or koulouri, and nicknamed Turkish pretzel.

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Rest Time
2 hrs
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 10 simit
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Middle Eastern , Turkish , Vegan

Ingredients

For the dough
  • 8 cups all-purpose flour , sifted
  • 1 cup warm water (at 97 F / 36°C)
  • 3 tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 4 tablespoons sunflower oil
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons caster sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
To brown
  • 4 tablespoons pekmez (grape molasses), or honey or maple syrup
  • 1 cup warm water (at 97 F / 36°C)
  • 3 cups golden sesame seeds
Equipment
  • Stand mixer
  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar and flour.
  2. Dig a well in the center of this mixture, place the yeast in it. Pour over half the water and let stand for 10 minutes.
  3. Add the oil and the egg and, using the dough hook, knead slowly for 5 minutes, gradually incorporating the water.
  4. Add the salt, and knead until you get a soft and homogeneous dough.
  5. If the dough is too sticky, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of flour and if on the contrary it is too dry and hard, add a little warm water very gradually.
  6. The dough should be kneaded for at least 10 minutes.
  7. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 hour 30 minutes in a warm place away from drafts. It must at least double in volume.
  8. Meanwhile, roast the sesame seeds in a pan and, in a bowl, mix the pekmez and water.
  9. After the dough has risen, place it on a work surface and lightly knead it by hand.
  10. Divide the dough into 20 pieces.
  11. Roll out each dough into a 2 ft (60 cm) long tube.
  12. Lay two tubes in parallel. Roll the tubes in opposite directions to create a twist.
  13. Seal the 2 ends and pinch them together to form a ring.
  14. Repeat the operation until the tubes of dough have run out.
  15. Dip each simit in the molasses and water mixture then carefully roll them in the sesame seeds, then place them, well spaced, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  16. Cover with a cloth and let rise for another 20 minutes in a warm place away from drafts.
  17. Preheat the oven to 390 F (200°C).
  18. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the simit are golden brown.