Recipe - Saluf Bi Hilbeh (Flat Bread With Fenugreek And

1 pack Active dry yeast
1 One half cup Warm water
2 cup Plain flour
2 cup Wholemeal flour
One half teaspoon Salt
Oil or ghee
Hilbeh

Makes 12 loaves Oven temperature: 260øC (500øF) Cooking time: 4 minutes
each lot

Soak yeast in One fourth cup water and stir to dissolve.

Sift flours into a mixing bowl, remove 1 cup flour and keep aside.

Blend remaining water and salt into yeast liquid and pour into flour. Mix
in a little of the flour to thicken liquid, cover and leave in a warm place
for 1015 minutes until frothy. Blend in remaining flour in bowl, then beat
by hand for 10 minutes, or on electric mixer using dough hook for 5
minutes.

Turn onto a floured board and knead in enough of the reserved flour to make
dough smooth and satiny. Return to bowl, sprinkle top of dough lightly with
flour and stretch a sheet of plastic film over top of bowl. Leave in a warm
place until doubled in bulk about 30 minutes. Preheat oven.

Punch down dough and turn out on board. Knead a little, then divide into
12 equal portions. Place a heavy flat griddle or baking sheet on centre
shelf in oven and heat for 10 minutes. Grease with a wad of paper towelling
dipped in oil. Roll out each portion to a 15 cm (6 inch) round and prick
with a fork. Brush top lightly with oil and spread on 1 teaspoon hilbeh.
Lift 2 loaves onto a lightly floured, flatedged baking sheet or plywood
board and slide onto heated griddle or baking sheet.

Bake in hot oven for 4 minutes. Top may be lightly browned under a hot
grill. As breads are removed, wrap in a cloth to keep them warm and soft.
Serve warm.

NOTE: If breads begin to puff up during cooking, press top with a folded
cloth. Breads should be bubbly, but should not form a pocket.

Source: The Complete Middle East Cookbook by Tess Mallos Typographical
errors courtesy of Karen Mintzias