Khubz Maghrebi Moroccan Bread Recipes

MOROCCAN WHITE BREAD RECIPE - KHOBZ

Steps:

• Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper OR lightly oiling it OR dusting it with semolina or cornmeal. Set aside.
• Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the yeast.
• Add some of the water to the yeast in the well and lightly stir with your fingers to dissolve the yeast (see Recipe Notes below). Add the rest of the water and oil to bowl and stir to combine all ingredients.
• Knead the dough (in the bowl if it's large enough or on a floured work surface) for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. While kneading, work in a little flour or water as needed to ensure the dough is soft and pliable but not sticky.
• Divide the dough into two smooth mounds and place well apart on the prepared pan. Cover with a towel and leave to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• After resting, pat the mounds of dough into flat, round loaves about 1/4" thick. Cover again with a towel and leave to rise for about an hour (longer in a cold room), until the dough springs back when pressed lightly.
• Preheat your oven to 435°F (225°C). When the oven is hot, lightly score the top of the bread with sharp knife or poke in several places with a fork.
• Bake the khobz in the preheated oven, rotating the pan if necessary, for about 20 minutes or golden brown. The loaves should sound hollow when tapped.
• Transfer the khobz to a rack or towel-lined basket to cool.

KHUBZ MAGHREBI (MOROCCAN BREAD)

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 2 1/2 cups warm water in a large bowl. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife. Stir salt into yeast mixture. Gradually stir in 7 cups flour, one cup at a time, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until dough forms a ball.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape dough into a 12-inch log. Divide dough into 3 pieces then shape each piece into a 4-inch dome-shaped loaf.
• Place loaves on a baking sheet lightly covered with flour. Dust tops lightly with 2 teaspoons flour, and lightly coat with cooking spray. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85F), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.).
• Position oven rack in lower third of oven. Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Uncover loaves, and brush each with 1 teaspoon oil. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. It should sound hollow when tapped (bread will not brown). Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

KHUBZ (BAHRAIN)

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast and the sugar in about a half cup of the lukewarm water. Let stand until frothy.
• Sift the flour together with the salt and add the yeast mixture. Knead by hand until the dough is soft, adding water as necessary. Add the oil and keep kneading until the dough becomes elastic and is no longer sticky, which should take about 15 minutes.
• Now form the dough into a ball and rub all over with a little bit of olive oil, to prevent it from drying out. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch down and knead for another five minutes or so. Now break the dough into tennis-ball sized portions. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and roll flat, until each ball is about a quarter inch thick. Dust with flour and transfer to a lightly floured surface, leaving a few inches between each one to allow for rising. Let rise for another 30 to 60 minutes.
• Oil two large baking sheets. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees. About 10 minutes into the preheating, put the sheets in the oven. Leave them there for another 10 minutes.
• Now open your oven and quickly transfer the dough balls onto the baking sheets.
• Bake for 6 to 10 minutes. When the breads are lightly browned, take them out. Let cool.
• Each piece should have formed a pocket while baking.