Homemade Lagana Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
• 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp olive oil
• 300ml (1 1/4 cups) warm water 300ml (1 1/4 cups) warm water
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp dried thyme

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat: 4g (Saturated Fat: 0.6g)
• Carbohydrates: 31g (Sugars: 0.5g)
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. 3.
   Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. 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 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. 6.
   Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. Gently stretch and shape the dough into a rectangular shape, about 1/2 inch thick.
7. 7.
   Brush the surface of the dough with olive oil. Sprinkle the sesame seeds, dried oregano, and dried thyme evenly over the top.
8. 8.
   Bake the Lagana bread in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Olive oil — Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• Sesame seeds — Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan for a few minutes before using them as a topping to enhance their nutty flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a softer crust, cover the Lagana bread with a clean kitchen towel immediately after removing it from the oven.
• Experiment with different herb combinations such as rosemary and thyme or basil and oregano to customize the flavor of your Lagana bread.
• Serve the Lagana bread warm for the best taste and texture.

Serving advice

Lagana bread is best served warm. Slice it into rectangular pieces and serve it as an appetizer or alongside main dishes. It pairs perfectly with Greek dips like tzatziki or hummus.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some extra sesame seeds and herbs on top of the Lagana bread just before serving. Serve it on a wooden cutting board or a rustic platter for an authentic touch.