Moroccan Bread Khobz Food

KHUBZ MAGHREBI (MOROCCAN BREAD)

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 2 1/2 cups warm water in a large bowl. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife. Stir salt into yeast mixture. Gradually stir in 7 cups flour, one cup at a time, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until dough forms a ball.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape dough into a 12-inch log. Divide dough into 3 pieces then shape each piece into a 4-inch dome-shaped loaf.
• Place loaves on a baking sheet lightly covered with flour. Dust tops lightly with 2 teaspoons flour, and lightly coat with cooking spray. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85F), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.).
• Position oven rack in lower third of oven. Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Uncover loaves, and brush each with 1 teaspoon oil. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. It should sound hollow when tapped (bread will not brown). Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

BASIC MOROCCAN WHITE BREAD (KHOBZ)

Steps:

• Prepare two baking sheets by lightly oiling them or by dusting the pans with a little cornmeal or semolina.
• Mix the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Make a large well in the center of the flour mixture and add the yeast.
• Add the oil and the water to the well, stirring with your fingers to dissolve the yeast first, and then stirring the entire contents of the bowl to incorporate the water into the flour.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and begin kneading the dough, or use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. If necessary, add flour or water in very small amounts to make the dough soft and pliable, but not sticky. Continue kneading for 10 minutes by hand (or 5 minutes by machine), or until the dough is very smooth and elastic.
• Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a smooth circular mound. (If you prefer, you can divide the dough into four to six smaller loaves instead.) Place the dough onto the prepared pans, cover with a towel and allow it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• After the dough has rested, use the palm of your hand to flatten the dough into circles about 1/4-inch thick. Cover with a towel and let rise about 1 hour (longer in a cold room), or until the dough springs back when pressed lightly with a finger.
• Heat an oven to 435 F/225°C.
• Create steam vents by scoring the top of the bread with a very sharp knife or by poking the dough with a fork in several places. Bake the bread for about 20 minutes-rotating the pans about halfway through the baking cycle-or until the loaves are nicely colored and sound hollow when tapped. Transfer the bread to a rack or towel-lined basket to cool.

KHOBZ (BASIC MOROCCAN WHITE BREAD) RECIPE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 435 F / 225 C.

MOROCCAN BREAD - KHOBZ

Steps:

• Mix ½ cup flour, salt, yeast and water.
• You can add ½ teaspoon sugar to activate the yeast effectiveness faster.
• Cover and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before using it.
• Add the remaining flour and oil.
• Mix and knead, the dough should be firm and smooth.
• Cover it and let it rest for 30 minutes (depending on the room temperature).
• Share this into 8 pieces, roll into a ball and flatten with a roller.
• Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F.
• Set aside until the bread itself inflated.
• Put the bread in the oven for about 20 minutes.

AUTHENTIC MOROCCAN BREAD

Steps:

• Add the sugar to 1/4 cup of lukewarm water. Then add the yeast and stir to soften. Let it sit in a warm place until the yeast is bubbly & doubles in volume, roughly 2 minutes.
• Mix the flours & salt in the large mixing bowl. After yeast is ready add it to the flour along with the milk. Add enough lukewarm water to the mixture to form a stiff dough.
• Note:Flours differ in their ability to absorb moisture so no precise amount can be given. Add a small amount at a time. If you have added too much the mixture will be extra sticky and it will be hard to get off your hands. The right consistency should allow the dough to pull easily off your fingers.
• Place the dough onto a lightly floured board & knead hard with closed fists, pushing outward. During the final part of kneading, add 1 tsp of cumin or sesame seeds. It will take between 10-15 minutes to knead the dough thoroughly. You will know it is ready when it achieves a smooth, elastic consistency. (If you are using an electric beater with a dough hook, knead 7-8 minutes on a slow speed.).
• Take the thoroughly kneaded dough & form it into two balls & let it stand for 5 minutes on the board.
• Sprinkle cornmeal onto two baking sheets & place to the side. Then lightly grease a mixing bowl with oil. Transfer the first ball of dough to the bowl. Roll the dough along the sides while rotating bowl with your other hand, this will make the dough into a cone shape.
• Place the dough, wide end down, onto the first baking sheet. Flatten the cone with the palm of your hand to form a disc about 5 inches in diameter with a slightly raised center. Repeat with the second ball. Lightly sprinkle the remaining seeds on top of the bread.
• Cover each disc loosely with a damp towel & let it rise for about 2 hours in a warm place. The dough will be ready when you can gently pole your finger into it & it will not spring back into place.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Using a fork, poke the bread 3 to 4 times & place in the center shelf of the oven. Bake for 12 minutes, then lower the heat to 300 degrees & make 25-30 minutes more.
• To give the bread a nice brown color, turn the oven on broil. Watch the bread carefully, once it is golden, turn it over to brown the other side. Remove from the oven & let cool.
• Note: When done, the bread will sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

KESRA - MOROCCAN BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the yeast with 1/4 cup warm water. Stir in the sugar. Set aside until the mixture starts to bubble (10-15 minutes).
• In a mixer with a dough hook, mix the flour, 1/3 cup cornmeal, and salt. (Or sift together.) Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and melted butter. Knead, gradually adding the remaining 2 cups water as needed until the dough is smooth and elastic to the touch (8 to 10 minutes). (Note: you probably won't need all 2 cups.).
• Grease two baking sheets and dust them with the 1 Tbs cornmeal. Separate dough into 2 balls of equal size and set each ball on a baking sheet. Press them into circles 8 inches in diameter. Sprinkle 1 tsp of sesame seeds over each loaf, gently pressing them into the dough. Cover the dough with a towel and set aside in a warm place until doubled (about 1 hour. Can take longer).
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Prick the top of each kesra with the tines of a fork. Bake for 10 minutes. Lower the heat to 375 and bake until crusty and golden, 15 to 20 minutes.