Lepinje Pita Bread Bosnia Herzegovina Recipes

LEPINJA

Steps:

• In mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients except salt. Using the hook accessory, knead on medium speed and gradually incorporate milk and water.
• After a couple minutes, incorporate salt. Knead for 5 minutes at low speed and 3 minutes at medium speed until the dough gets a little sticky.
• Place the dough in a large container, cover and let it rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, until it doubles in size.
• On a floured surface, work the dough with the palm of your hands for a couple minutes, then put it in the large container, cover and let it rise in a warm place for another 45 minutes.
• Divide the dough into pieces of approximately ½ lb (230g). On a floured surface, work each piece of dough with the palm of your hands again, then form balls and let rise for 10 minutes.
• Flatten each piece of dough with the palm of the hand. If necessary, finish with a roll pin to level but without much pressure. Cut slits on each loaf and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set aside for 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 410F/210C. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes. Lower the temperature to 300F/150C, and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes.
• Take the lepinja out of the oven, wrap the loaves with a cloth and let them cool off for 10 minutes so the crust softens.

LEPINJE (PITA BREAD) (BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA)

Steps:

• Proof the yeast with the sugar and about 1/2 cup of lukewarm water. Meanwhile, mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• When the yeast is foamy, pour it into the flour with another 1/2 cup of water (approximately, stop when the dough is the right texture. You may need more or less water). Mix well. Your dough should be a little bit sticky.
• Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for five minutes. Shape into a ball and place in a large bowl greased with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel, and let rise in a warm place for an hour or so, or until doubled in size.
• Put the dough back on the floured surface and punch down. Knead again for another minute, then divide into four balls. Brush with olive oil and let rest for 10 or 15 minutes.
• Roll the dough balls with a floured rolling pin until they are roughly the thickness of an extra-thick pizza crust.
• Transfer the dough to a greased baking sheet and brush with a bit more olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let rest for another half hour or so.
• Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. When the dough has rested remove the towel and plastic and put it in the oven.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 5-10 minutes.

LEPINJA (BALKAN FLATBREAD)

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk in a small bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam. Stir the warm water and sugar into the yeast mixture.
• Stir the flour and salt together in a separate bowl; add all but about 1/2 cup of the flour mixture to the yeast mixture; mix with your hands until a soft dough forms, adding the last of the flour mixture a little at a time until it clears the sides of the bowl. Cover the bowl with a light cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Deflate, or 'punch down,' the dough and turn out onto a work surface lightly dusted with flour; knead for about 5 minutes. Return the dough to the bowl, cover again with a light cloth, and allow the dough to again rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes more.
• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Deflate the dough and turn turn out onto a work surface lightly dusted with flour; knead lightly. Place the dough onto the prepared baking sheet; shape into an oval about 1/2-inch thick. Set aside to rise a third time for about 30 minutes.
• Bake in the preheated oven until nicely browned and hollow sounding when thumped, 20 to 25 minutes.