Barbari Bread - Nan-E Barbari

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon dry yeast
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 cups flour (or more, as needed)
• 4 tablespoons oil or butter
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon sesame seed

Directions

1. 1

   Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.

2. 2

   Add sugar and set aside for 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Pour yeast mixture in large bowl or food processor, add remaining warm water, and salt--mix well.

4. 4

   Gradually add flour while stirring constantly.

5. 5

   After flour has been added, knead by hand, adding more of the flour if needed until the dough is not sticky.

6. 6

   Pour oil in a large bowl and place dough in bowl.

7. 7

   Cover with a clean damp towel and let rise 4 hours in warm, dark place without moving.

8. 8

   Punch air out while dough is in the bowl.

9. 9

   Flip dough over and return to bowl.

10. 10

    Cover with new damp towel and allow to rise until double.

11. 11

    Place cookie sheet in center of oven and preheat to 500°F.

12. 12

    Divide dough into 11 parts, each piece about 5 inches in diameter.

13. 13

    Dust a tray with corn meal and place loaves on tray.

14. 14

    With damp hands, press fingertips into each loaf, then sprinkle tops with sesame seeds.

15. 15

    Put loaves on the cookie sheet, corn meal side down, and bake sesame side up for 8 minutes in oven.

16. 16

    Turn bread over and bake corn meal side up for 4 minutes in closed oven.

17. 17

    Remove loaves from oven.

18. 18

    Cover with clean towel, serve hot or wrap in foil and freeze (toast before serving.).