Description
Turkish Ramadan Bread, also known as Ramazan Pidesi, is a traditional soft and fluffy round loaf with a distinctive dimpled pattern, brushed with an egg wash and topped with toasted sesame and nigella seeds. This bread is popular during Ramadan for breaking the fast and has a slightly sweet and savory flavor, thanks to the use of sugar and olive oil in the dough. Perfectly golden and aromatic, it's great for serving alongside soups, stews, or enjoying fresh with butter.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (or melted butter/ghee or vegetable oil)
Topping
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon milk (or heavy cream or yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon nigella seeds
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast until well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Knead: Pour warm milk and olive oil into the dry ingredients. Knead the mixture for 8–10 minutes by hand or about 5 minutes using a stand mixer until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot to rise for approximately 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaves: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Divide it into two equal portions and shape each into a round loaf about 6 to 7 inches in diameter.
- Rest the Shaped Loaves: Place the rounds on a parchment-lined baking tray. Cover them loosely with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let rest for 15–20 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) or 180°C for a fan oven to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk to create an egg wash.
- Create the Signature Dimples and Brush: Using your fingers, press dimples into the surface of each loaf to form the traditional pattern. Then brush each loaf generously with the egg wash.
- Add Seeds and Bake: Sprinkle the tops evenly with toasted sesame seeds and nigella seeds. Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pides from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack before serving to enjoy their fresh flavor and perfect texture.
Notes
- You may substitute olive oil with melted butter, ghee, or vegetable oil depending on preference.
- The warm milk should be roughly 100°F (38°C) to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Pressing dimples into the dough not only creates the traditional look but also helps with even baking and texture.
- For richer flavor, heavy cream or yogurt can be used instead of milk in the egg wash.
- This bread is best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
