Whole Wheat Pitas

Sorie44

I made a batch of these two weekends ago. I froze them in sandwich bags. I either take one out of the freezer and throw it into the toaster oven to warm up or take in my lunch and it is thrawed by time to eat.

They took a little time, but they were not hard to make and I have been eating on them for two weeks.

I made 4 inch size pitas.

Whole Wheat Pitas
YIELD 16 pitas
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ cups warm water
1 package active dry yeast
1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon
½ teaspoon honey
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons salt
All purpose flour for dusting

PREPARATION:
1. Pour water into the bowl of an electric stand mixer with dough hook attached. Add yeast, olive oil and honey. Allow yeast to bloom until it begins to foam, about 5 minutes. Add flour, then salt. Mix on medium speed for one minute. Turn the mixer down to low and mix for 2 minutes longer. Increase speed to medium and continue to mix 2 minutes longer. If at any point the dough wraps completely around the hook and is no longer kneading, turn off the machine, scrape the dough off the hook back into the bowl and return to mixing. Transfer dough to a clean work surface and knead by hand for one minute longer or until you have a round, smooth, elastic dough. Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a medium sized bowl. Place dough into bowl and coat with the oil by turning over. Cover with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap and place in a moderately warm, draft-free place until doubled in volume, usually about 2 hours.
2. Position an up-side down 18 x 13 aluminum sheet pan or a baking stone on the middle rack in the oven.
3. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
4. Transfer the proofed dough to a clean work surface and knead it by hand until it is round, smooth and elastic, about one minute. Divide the dough into 16 pieces, (2 ounces each) and shape into balls. Cover with a clean towel and allow to proof until expanded slightly in size, about 20 minutes.
5. Dust a clean work surface with all-purpose flour. Roll dough into 6-inch circles. You may stack them between parchment paper or clean towels. Carefully and quickly place them in the oven directly on the baking sheet or stone. You may bake 2 or 3 at a time. Cook pitas for 2 minutes or until puffed. Remove with a metal spatula. Repeat with remaining dough. Serve hot or at room temperature. Once cooled, pitas may be stored in a re-sealable plastic storage bag for up to 2 days.
6. Alternatively, the dough may me made a day ahead. After the dough has been kneaded and put into the bowl with the olive oil, place it into the refrigerator to proof overnight. The next day, pull dough from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at least 2 hours before proceeding with the recipe.

This recipe was featured in the Sure-Fired Falafel Episode of Emeril Green.