You Can't Beat a Pita

Pita Bread

3 C whole wheat flour
1 ½ C boiling water
½ C potato pearls (can use potato flakes, too)
2 T + 1 tsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp yeast
½ tsp gluten
½ tsp dough enhancer
1 tsp salt

Mix together the boiling water and the potato pearls (for about a minute) then add 2 C flour. Knead until thoroughly mixed (its okay if the potatoes aren’t completely dissolved…they will soften as they sit). Set aside for about 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, put the mixture in a bread maker. Mix the final cup of flour, oil, yeast, gluten and dough enhancer. Add salt. Dump the second mixture (with flour, oil, yeast, dough enhancer, gluten and salt) into the bread maker and set on the “dough” cycle.

Note: If you don’t have a bread maker, knead for about 10 minutes and then let rise in a warm place for about 1-1 ½ hours. It will be hard to mix in all the flour, but eventually, it will all mix in. Add flour, if needed, until dough is just barely sticky. I don’t need to add any more than the three cups.

After dough has risen, divide into 6 segments. Roll out and fold up by fourths (top down, right and left sides over and bottom up…should make a ball) Cover and let rise for another half an hour. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Roll into circles. Let rise another 10-15 minutes (or until it is puffed up a bit) You may need to grease your hands, the surface, and the rolling pin to make sure they don’t stick to the dough. When they begin to puff and turn a light golden brown (should be between 8-13 minutes) remove from oven. Stack on a wire rack, cover and let cool. Cut through the middle…there should be a pocket…if not use a bread knife to open it up. Stuff with your favorite filling. Either serve warm or put in a sealed baggie and serve later.

You may want to flip them over and brown the bottom a little...I didn't, but you can if you like.

P.S. We just used fresh from the garden tomatoes, fresh avocado, sliced, and some sharp swiss. We then drizzled balsamic vinegar over the veggies and ate the pita sandwiches warm. Mmmmmmmmmm...they were wonderful.