Homemade Batbout Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (150g) semolina 1 cup (150g) semolina
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240ml) warm water 1 cup (240ml) warm water

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 0.5g, 0g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, semolina, instant yeast, and salt.
2. 2.
   Gradually add warm water to the dry ingredients while mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles and divide it into small rounds.
6. 6.
   Flatten each round into a disc shape, about 1/4 inch thick.
7. 7.
   Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat and cook the flattened dough rounds for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they puff up and turn golden brown.
8. 8.
   Remove the cooked Batbout bread from the griddle and let it cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Semolina — Semolina adds a unique texture to the Batbout bread. If you don't have semolina, you can replace it with an equal amount of all-purpose flour.

Tips & Tricks

• Make sure the water you use to activate the yeast is warm, but not too hot, as it can kill the yeast.
• Letting the dough rise in a warm place helps to activate the yeast and allows the dough to double in size.
• If the dough is sticky while kneading, you can lightly dust your hands and the surface with flour to prevent sticking.
• Cooking the Batbout bread on medium heat ensures that it cooks evenly without burning.
• To keep the Batbout bread soft, store it in an airtight container or plastic bag once it has cooled.

Serving advice

Serve the Batbout bread warm or at room temperature. It is perfect for making sandwiches with various fillings like grilled vegetables, falafel, or Moroccan spiced meats. You can also serve it alongside Moroccan tagines, stews, or dips like hummus or baba ganoush.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle some sesame seeds or nigella seeds on top of the Batbout bread before cooking. This adds a touch of visual appeal and a subtle nutty flavor.