Nan E Barbari Food

BARBARI BREAD (NAN-E BARBARI)

Steps:

• In a wide mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in 3 cups/720ml warm water. Add the sugar and set aside for 10 minutes.
• Add the salt to the yeast mixture and mix well. Gradually add the flour and stir constantly. When 6½ cups/650g flour have been added and you have a sticky dough, add 1 tablespoon oil and mix for 2 minutes. Transfer the dough to a floured counter and knead for about 15 minutes, adding the rest of the flour if necessary, until the dough is no longer sticky.
• Lift the dough in the mixing bowl and pour 3 tablespoons oil into it, then turn the dough in the oil so it is coated all over. Cover the entire bowl with a clean damp dish towel and allow the dough to rise for 4 hours, without moving it, in a warm place (I use the oven with just the light on, or a pantry).
• Punch the air out of the dough while it is still in the bowl and flip it over. Cover again with the damp towel and allow to rise 2 for more hours.
• Place a baking stone in the lower level of the oven and preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) for at least 20 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together the egg and yogurt until smooth.
• With oily hands, divide the dough into 4 balls. Place each ball on a lightly oiled surface. Use an oiled rolling pin to roll each ball out to an approximately 11in x 6in/28cm x 15cm oval shape. Place the loaves on an oiled surface, cover with the towel, and leave at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Dust a baker's peel with cornmeal and transfer a loaf to it. Brush the egg wash and make dents along the length of the top of the loaf, then sprinkle the seeds on top.
• Immediately slide the dough onto the hot baking stone in the oven, cornmeal side down, and bake for 8 minutes. Turn over and bake for 2 minutes longer.

BARBARI BREAD - NAN-E BARBARI

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.
• Add sugar and set aside for 10 minutes.
• Pour yeast mixture in large bowl or food processor, add remaining warm water, and salt--mix well.
• Gradually add flour while stirring constantly.
• After flour has been added, knead by hand, adding more of the flour if needed until the dough is not sticky.
• Pour oil in a large bowl and place dough in bowl.
• Cover with a clean damp towel and let rise 4 hours in warm, dark place without moving.
• Punch air out while dough is in the bowl.
• Flip dough over and return to bowl.
• Cover with new damp towel and allow to rise until double.
• Place cookie sheet in center of oven and preheat to 500°F.
• Divide dough into 11 parts, each piece about 5 inches in diameter.
• Dust a tray with corn meal and place loaves on tray.
• With damp hands, press fingertips into each loaf, then sprinkle tops with sesame seeds.
• Put loaves on the cookie sheet, corn meal side down, and bake sesame side up for 8 minutes in oven.
• Turn bread over and bake corn meal side up for 4 minutes in closed oven.
• Remove loaves from oven.
• Cover with clean towel, serve hot or wrap in foil and freeze (toast before serving.).

BARBARI (A PERSIAN BREAD)

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast with the sugar in 1/2 c water, let sit a few minutes to proof (foam).
• Mix bread flour, baking powder and salt together. Make a well in the flour, and slowly incorporate the yeast mixture, and then the remaining 1 cup of water.
• Knead 15 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
• Divide dough into 2 round pieces.
• Sprinkle a large baking sheet with cornmeal, transfer the dough to it. Lightly cover and place in a warm place until doubled in bulk (~1.5 hours).
• Meanwhile, bring the glaze ingredients to a boil, let cool. Brush lightly over the dough.
• Now for the tricky part! Dip your fingers into the glaze, and punch the dough down with the edges of your hands to form several long parallel ridges along the dough.
• Brush the dough with the glaze again, sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds. Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Carefully stretch the dough lengthwise (it should be approximately 8 inches wide and 18 long-- I never measured it!) until it is about 1/4-1/2" thick.
• Bake 25-30 minutes, or until golden. The bread should be slightly flexible when done. If you overcook it (as I did in my first attempt- by 8 minutes), it will turn out more like ciabatta-- still good!
• Good luck!