Turkish Red Pepper Bread Recipes

TURKISH RED PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• First make the dough: Sift the flour in a large bowl. Add in instant yeast and salt. Whisk well. In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt and warm water. Pour this mixture in the flour mixture. Combine them well. Knead it well until everything holds together. It will be a pretty soft and sticky dough. Wet your fingers and pat the top of the dough. Cover it with a kitchen towel. Put it in a warm place and wait at least one hour so that it rises well.
• Meanwhile you can prepare the topping mixture you'll spread on the dough. Combine all peppers and onions in a bowl. Add in sesame seeds, olive oil, pepper paste and salt. Stir well.
• After the dough rises enough (after at least one hour), preheat the oven to 350F. Oil a baking sheet and transfer the dough on it. Now it's time for your hands to work more. Flatten the dough in the baking pan equally, pressing on it with you palm. Spread the topping mixture on the dough with your hands.
• Before putting it into the oven, cut it in squares so that it is easier to remove from the pan after it's baked.
• Place it into the oven and bake it for 30-40 minutes.

TURKISH RED PEPPER PASTE

Steps:

• Cut the capsicums into large chunks, discarding the seed core.
• Slice the chillies in half (discarding the seeds for if you require a milder paste) and trim any stems.
• Place the capsicums, chillies, water, salt, sugar and olive oil in a food processor until smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and simmer gently until the mixture is thick has reduced to a thick paste (about 1 hour) stirring frequently.
• Keep stirring frequently to take care that the mixture doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Allow to cool then use as desired in Turkish recipes or any time that you want a little "heat" in your cooking.
• This mixture can be kept in a refrigerator or up to 1 week in a sealable container. Or, it can be frozen in a small sealable plastic container.

EKMEK TURKISH BREAD

Steps:

• To make the starter: Place 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup water in a coverable bowl; stir well. Cover and let sit at room temperature overnight. The next day, add 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup water to the bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature overnight. On the third day, add 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup water to the bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature overnight.
• To make the dough: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• Break the starter into small pieces and add it to the yeast mixture. Stir in 4 cups of flour and the salt. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle a little flour over the dough and then cover it with a dry cloth. Let it raise until double in size.
• Put the dough back onto a lightly floured work surface and punch out the air. Divide the dough in half and knead each piece for 2 to 3 minutes. Shape each piece into a tight oval loaf. Sprinkle two sheet pans with corn meal. Roll and stretch two loaf until they are 15x12 inch ovals. Dust the tops of the loaves with flour. Cover with a dry cloth and let raise in a warm place until doubled in size. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Mist with water 3 times in the first 15 minutes. Loaves are done when their bottoms sound hollow when tapped. Let cool on wire racks before serving.

PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a tube pan.
• Stir together 3 cups of flour, the sugar, pepper, yeast, and salt together in a large bowl.
• Heat water and margarine to 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) in a saucepan over low heat. Pour the hot water-margarine mixture into the flour; quickly stir a few strokes to combine. Stir in 1 egg, beat the mixture to form a loose batter, and stir in 1 1/2 cups of flour. Knead the dough on a floured work surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal-sized pieces, form them into rolls, and place them into the bottom of the prepared pan. Set the pan into a sink of hot water (about 115 degrees F/46 degrees C) until the rolls have doubled in size, about 15 minutes. Beat egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of water until thoroughly combined; brush the dough with the beaten egg yolk mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

ROASTED RED PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Place red peppers in a food processor; cover and process until pureed. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the red peppers, 1 cup cheese, milk, butter, salt and 1-1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough into 6 pieces. Shape each into an 18-in. rope. Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour., In a small bowl, combine egg and water; brush over braids. Sprinkle with pepper and remaining cheese. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

TURKISH-STYLE TOMATO AND RED-PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1 teaspoon salt. Purée remaining ingredients with garlic paste in food processor until almost smooth. Season with salt.

TURKISH RED PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Toast walnuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.
• Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.
• Adjust seasoning with more lemon juice and salt, if desired.