Homemade Pita Bread

Tonight I made a Greek "feast." I only have time to post the homemade pita bread tonight, I'll post the One Pot Greek Chicken and Rice and the Homemade Hummus another night. Recipe found HERE.
-Amanda

Homemade Pita Bread

2-1/2 cups bread flour (I used Heartland Mill Organic Strong High-Gluten), plus more for sprinkling while kneading & rolling out dough
2 teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 Tablespoons good olive oil
1 cup warm water (105-110 degrees)

 

In a large bowl combine 1 cup flour with the salt, sugar, and yeast. Add the oil and water.Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon for three minutes, then stir in the rest of the flour 1/2 cup at a time.The dough should be a rough, shaggy mass that will clean the sides of the bowl. If the dough is moist, add a small amount of additional flour. 

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 6 minutes.Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Divide the dough into 8 pieces.I patted the dough into a circle and used my metal dough scraper to quickly and evenly cut it into eighths (as if cutting up a pie). Roll into balls, dust lightly with flour, and cover with a damp tea towel. Let rest for 30 minutes.

 Use the palm of your hand to flatten each ball into a disk. Finish with a rolling pin, (I used a tortilla press) flattening the dough into a disk about 6" in diameter and 3/16" thick. Their thinness is more important than making them perfectly round. Place each round on a thin cookie sheet. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they are puffed.