Lavash Bread Yeastless Armenian Flatbread Food

LAVASH BREAD (YEASTLESS ARMENIAN FLATBREAD)

Steps:

• Whisk flour and salt together and add to a standing mixer.
• Using a dough hook, slowly drizzle warm water over the flour mixture while the machine is running.
• Mix until the dough comes together, scraping the sides of the bowl when necessary. If needed, add a few additional tablespoons of warm water to wet the dry flour on the bottom of the bowl.
• Once the dough comes together, cover it with saran wrap and place in a warm location for an hour.
• After one hour, stretch the dough from the outside edges towards the center. Do this all the way around the dough ball then flip the dough over and form into a smooth ball.
• Cover the bowl back up and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes. Repeat this process one additional time.

LAVASH ARMENIAN THIN BREAD

Steps:

• Place the tepid water in your electric mixing bowl and add the olive oil, sugar, and yeast. Using the batter blade let the electric mixer blend these very well.
• It will take about 5 minutes on low speed.
• Stir in the salt. Gradually add 2 cups of the flour and beat on low speed until a thick and smooth batter forms.
• Change the blade to a bread dough hook and knead in the additional 2 cups of flour.
• If you do not have a heavy mixer such as a KitchenAid, incorporate the flour with a wooden spoon and finish the kneading by hand.
• Kneading should take about 10 minutes in the machine, 20 minutes by hand.
• Place the dough on a plastic countertop and cover with a large stainless-steel bowl.
• Allow the dough to rise until double in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch the dough down and divide into 8 pieces.
• Let stand, covered, 15 minutes.
• Roll out each piece of dough into a 12-inch-diameter circle. Working with 2 pieces of dough at a time, arrange breads on ungreased baking sheets.
• Brush with milk and sprinkle sesame seeds over tops.
• Pierce with a fork many times, all over.
• Bake on the lowest racks in the oven, at 375F, for 8-10 minutes, or until light brown.
• Rotate the pans in the oven from top to bottom, to insure even browning.
• Serve dry or wet. (To wet, hold the cracker under running water until lightly moistened all over, and then wrap in a moist towel for 10-15 minutes.) If the cracker is too dry to roll, it will crack.
• Sprinkle with a little more water and let stand a few minutes.
• If it is too wet, cover with a dry towel and let it stand.