Sesame Bread

Preparation Time: 15 minutes plus 1 hour for rising
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Makes: 4 loaves

This tasty round bread is delicious with soup, stews, tagines, and dips or as a snack with your favourite spread. Originating from the Middle East, it is similar to pita bread but with a sesame seed topping. Cumin seeds, poppy seeds and black sesame seeds make excellent alternatives. The puffy round loaves freeze well; make double the quantity and keep the extra for another time.

Did you know? Sesame is an annual plant grown in hot countries for its seeds from which odourless light-coloured oil is extracted. Sesame seeds have a more pronounced flavoured when toasted.

Ingredients
500g strong white flour
100ml warm water
1 tablespoon salt
7g dried yeast (1 sachet)
1 teaspoon sugar

4 tablespoons sesame seeds

Method
1) Dilute the yeast in the warm water. Stir in the sugar and leave for 5 minutes.
2) Place the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the diluted yeast and mix the dough adding more water so that it forms a round ball. Add more flour if it is too sticky.
3) Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and shape into 4 rounds.
4) Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5) Line an oven tray with baking parchment paper. Place the round loaves on the baking tray and cover. Leave to rise for 1 hour.
6) Pre-heat the oven to 200C/400F/ Gas mark 6.
7) Bake for 30 minutes or until golden.