This traditional Turkish flatbread called Bazlama is super tasty. It's soft, light and very delicious when slathered with extra virgin olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs. Perfect to pair with curries, hummus or other creamy dips.
INGREDIENTS
2cupsAll-purpose flour
½cupwaterlukewarm
½cupvegan plain yogurtTrader Joe's cashew yogurt
¼ouncerapid active dry yeast
3teaspoonsugar
1teaspoonsalt
3 ½tablespoonolive oilextra virgin
Garnish
¼cupolive oilextra virgin
1tablespoongarlic paste
⅓cupItalian parsley finely chopped
METHOD
Whisk sugar, yeast and water in a medium-large size mixing bowl. Let it sit for 15 till the mixture froths and bubbles.
Add flour, vegan yogurt, salt and only 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Knead together using a silicon spatula or wooden spoon.
When you start to see the dough come together, add another tablespoon of olive oil and continue kneading a little more till the dough is combined with the oil.
Pick up the dough and gently form into a ball shape. Rub the remaining olive oil on the inside walls of the mixing bowl. Gently place the dough back into the the mixing bowl (do not knead anymore) and cover it with plastic wrap and towel or a lid. Place the the bowl in a warm place for an hour. Note: Make sure your mixing bowl is large enough because the dough will double in size when it rises. Otherwise this is a good time to transfer to another bowl.
Sprinkle dry flour on your work surface. Gently place the dough on it and divide it into even portions using a knife or vegetable scrapper.Note: Be very careful with the dough to preserve all the air pockets.
Carefully make balls out of the portions and sprinkle them with dry flour. Cover the the balls with plastic wrap to avoid the the dough from drying. Set aside for 10 minutes before you start the next step.
Take each ball and gently pat it down with your hand to flatten it. Briefly use a rolling pin to even it out into circles or ovals.Note: Leave the rest of dough balls covered in plastic while you flatten each one to avoid drying.
Preheat a pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Place the flattened dough on the heated pan for about 10 seconds, then flip it to the other side. Cook for another 20 seconds, then flip back for 5 seconds. Finally, flip one more time for 5 seconds again. Repeat this process for the rest of the dough balls. Note: once the bread has cool down for 10 minutes, then make sure it is properly cooked inside. If not, then put it back on the heated pan for a few more seconds. All this depends on the stove top and the thickness of the flatbread.
Garnish
Combine the garlic paste with the olive oil.
Brush the garlic olive oil onto each of your flatbreads once it's done cooking.
Sprinkle it with fresh parsley.
NOTES
Keep the flatbread covered with a cloth till ready to serve. This keeps the bread warm and soft.