Homemade Simit - Turkish Sesame Bread Rings

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
• 10g (2 tsp) sugar 10g (2 tsp) sugar
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 30ml (2 tbsp) olive oil 30ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
• 300ml (1 1/4 cups) warm water 300ml (1 1/4 cups) warm water
• 100g (3.5 oz) sesame seeds 100g (3.5 oz) sesame seeds

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 6g (1g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 42g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. 2.
   Add the olive oil and warm water to the dry ingredients. Mix well until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 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 doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles and divide it into small pieces, about 80g (2.8 oz) each.
7. 7.
   Roll each piece into a long rope, about 50cm (20 inches) in length.
8. 8.
   Shape the rope into a circle, overlapping the ends and twisting them together to form a ring.
9. 9.
   Dip each ring into a bowl of water and then into a plate filled with sesame seeds, ensuring they are evenly coated.
10. 10.
    Place the sesame-coated rings onto the prepared baking sheet and let them rest for 10 minutes.
11. 11.
    Bake the Simit in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Flour — Use all-purpose flour for the best results. Bread flour can be used as a substitute, but it will yield a slightly denser texture.
• Instant yeast — Make sure the yeast is fresh and not expired to ensure proper rising of the dough.
• Sesame seeds — Toasting the sesame seeds before coating the rings will enhance their flavor and aroma.

Tips & Tricks

• For a sweeter flavor, you can add a tablespoon of honey to the dough mixture.
• To achieve a more authentic taste, use Turkish tea to dip the rings in before coating them with sesame seeds.
• If you prefer a softer crust, cover the Simit with a clean kitchen towel immediately after removing them from the oven.

Serving advice

Serve Simit warm or at room temperature. It pairs perfectly with a cup of Turkish tea or can be enjoyed as a sandwich with fillings of your choice.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Simit on a platter, showcasing their golden color and sesame seed coating. You can also sprinkle some extra sesame seeds on top for an added visual appeal.