Simit (Turkish sesame bread)

Name: Simit (Turkish sesame bread)
Prep time: 44 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 134 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 3.5 cups flour; 1 tablespoon instant yeast; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup oil; 1.25 cups warm water; 1/3 cup Grape molasses or carob molasses; 1.5 cups sesame

Twisted rings dipped in molasses and coated with toasted sesame seeds — Istanbul's morning crunch.

Vegan

Cooking time: 2 hr 14 min
Hands-on time: 44 min
Free time: 1 hr
Difficulty: Medium
Cuisine: Turkish
Calories: 390
Contains: Gluten, Sesame

On the sidewalks of Istanbul and Amman alike, red simit carts are part of the morning. Its deep color and crunch come from a dip in grape molasses before the sesame — a twisted ring eaten with a glass of loose-leaf tea.

Before you start

Before you beginRead the steps completely, measure the ingredients, and prepare the tools before turning on the fire or oven.
Rising and the ovenAllow enough time for the dough to rise, and preheat the oven fully before the tray goes in.

Ingredients

6people

Amounts follow the number of people

To prepare simit (Turkish sesame rings)

3.5 cups flour — Sifted, then spooned lightly into the cup
1 tablespoon instant yeast — Instant, and within its use-by date
2 tablespoons sugar — fine white
1 teaspoon salt — Add gradually, tasting as you go
1/4 cup oil — At room temperature
1.25 cups warm water — approximately
1/3 cup Grape molasses or carob molasses — Diluted with an equal amount of water
1.5 cups sesame — Toasted

When increasing the quantity, knead in two batches and leave space between the pieces in the tray so that they rise evenly.

Equipment

Kneading bowl — Big enough for the dough once it has risen.
Two shallow bowls — Thinned molasses then sesame — both sides get dipped.
Baking tray — At 220° for the twisted rings.

Method

Dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water and leave it until it foams.
10 minYou can walk away
You’ll know it’s ready when
A clear layer of foam on the surface — if it doesn't foam, the yeast is dead.
Tip: The water is warm, not hot: high heat kills the yeast.
Knead the flour and salt with the yeast mixture until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
12 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
It stretches without tearing and does not stick to the hand.
Cover and let it rise.
1 hrYou can walk away
You’ll know it’s ready when
It has doubled in size.
Dilute the grape molasses with water in one dish, and put the sesame seeds in another dish.
5 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The molasses is thin and coats the rope easily.
Divide the dough and roll each piece into a long rope, then fold it in half and twist it.
15 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
A twisted rope of equal thickness.
Close the ends into a ring, dip it in molasses and then in sesame seeds.
12 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
Sesame covers the whole top.
Tip: The molasses is what holds the sesame on and gives the brown color.
Arrange them spaced apart and bake at 200°.
20 minYou can walk away
You’ll know it’s ready when
Dark golden with toasted sesame, and light when lifted.