Homemade Simit

• Vegan

• Condiments

  • 2 tbsp Molasses

• Baking & Spices

  • 2 1/2 cups Flour
  • 1 tsp Sea salt
  • 1 cup Sesame seeds, Toasted
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Yeast

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 2 tbsp Oil

• Liquids

  • 1 1/8 cup Water

Found on landsandflavors.com

Description

Ingredients

• 2½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup warm water (around 110°F / 43°C)
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 1 Tablespoon sugar (or sweetener of choice)
• 2 Tablespoons oil (olive, sunflower, grapeseed, etc.)
• 2 Tablespoons molasses (grape, mulberry, or date) or maple syrup
• 2 Tablespoons water
• 1 cup toasted sesame seeds

Directions

• Add the flour and salt to the bowl of an electric mixer. In a small bowl, whisk together the water, yeast, sugar, and oil. Pour this mixture into the flour and let the mixer knead the dough together for around 3-4 minutes. The dough should be thoroughly combined, elastic, and slightly tacky.Put a little extra oil on your hands to be able to transfer the dough to an oiled bowl. Let the dough proof for 1 hour.
• While proofing, whisk together the molasses and water in a shallow bowl. Also, have the toasted sesame seeds ready in a dish nearby.
• After 1 hour, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Turn out the dough onto a large, lightly floured surface and divide into five equal pieces. Keep the pieces you are not working with under a towel or plastic wrap.
• Use the pictures in the post above as a guide to the three steps to forming the simit. First, you want a rope that is at least 24 inch (60cm). Use a minimal amount of flour on your surface while rolling and pushing out any large air bubbles that may have formed in the dough with your hands. Then catch the middle of the rope with one hand while twirling together the two loose ends until the whole piece, up to the middle has twisted. Finally bring the two ends together by slightly looping the free end into the looped end. Pinch the dough together at that point and roll the seam firmly once or twice with your palm.
• Form them all, then dip each one into the molasses mix, shake off any excess, then plop into the sesame seeds. Coat each ring with as much sesame as possible then transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them sit for 5 minutes before baking, then gently stretch them into large, evenly-shaped rings.
• Bake for 20-24 minutes or until they are golden browned. You will need a few more minutes in the oven if you prefer a crunchier simit. If you are baking two baking sheets at once, they may need a bit longer in the oven (28-30 minutes). Also, if you are baking two sheets, be sure to switch their positions in the oven at the halfway point (after 15 minutes or so).
• Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes on a rack. Enjoy hot or room temperature.