Simit Bread

Ingredients list for Simit Bread

• 1½ cups + for dusting Refined flour (maida)
• ½ teaspoon Fresh yeast
• A pinch + teaspoon Castor sugar (caster sugar)
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• ¼ cup Milk
• ¼ cup White sesame seeds
• ¼ cup Maple syrup
• for greasing Oil

Method

1. Take yeast in a bowl. Add a pinch castor sugar and 1-2 tablespoons warm water, mix and set aside to activate.
2. Sieve together flour and salt into another bowl. Add 1 teaspoon castor sugar and mix. Make a cavity in the center, add activated yeast and mix well.
3. Add milk and mix. Add some water and knead into a soft dough.
4. Dust worktop with some flour, transfer the dough and stretch well. Dust a bowl with some flour, transfer the dough, cover with damp muslin cloth and set aside to prove for 20-25 minutes.
5. Dry-roast sesame seeds till golden. Transfer on a plate and cool.
6. Pour maple syrup in a shallow bowl. Add ¼ cup water and mix well.
7. Dust the worktop with some flour, transfer dough and knock back to release excess air.
8. Divide the dough into 3 equal portions.
9. Dust the worktop with some flour and roll each portion to a 10-12 inch long strip. Fold the strip into half, seal the edges and twist, shape into a circle and seal the open ends.
10. Dust a baking tray with some oil and dust with some flour.
11. Preheat oven to 180°C.
12. Dip both sides of each bread in the maple syrup mixture and coat one side with toasted sesame seeds and place on the greased tray. Cover with damp muslin cloth and set aside to prove for 10 minutes.
13. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
14. Serve.