Also known as Persian Flatbread internationally, Barbari is an Iranian thick flat bread.
The name Barbari comes from the people who created the bread itself, the Hazaras. The Hazaras were also called the Barbari by the Iranians as they were seen as barbarians.
Barbari is a popular bread in Iran, especially for breakfast. Many eat it with different accompaniments such as cheese, nuts, cream, and fruit.
Ingredients
Dough
1 2/3 to 1 3/4 cups (379g to 397g) lukewarm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast
4 cups + 3 tablespoons (510g) bread flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
Glaze
2 teaspoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup (74g) cool water
Topping
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon nigella (black onion) seeds
Instructions
To make the dough: Mix the water, yeast, flour, and salt until well combined. Knead the mixture — using your hands, a stand mixer, or your bread machine set on the dough cycle — until you've made a smooth, fairly soft dough. The dough should barely clean the inside of the bowl, if you're using a stand mixer, perhaps sticking just a bit at the bottom.
Put the dough in a lightly greased large bowl, cover the bowl, and let the dough rise until it's nearly doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Gently deflate the dough, and divide it into two pieces. Shape each piece into a rough log abut 9" long. Tent the logs with lightly greased plastic wrap, and allow them to rest for 30 minutes.
While the dough is resting, prepare the glaze. Combine the flour, sugar, oil, and water in a small saucepan, bring to a bare boil, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the spoon; this should take less than a minute. Remove the glaze from the heat, and set it aside.
Preheat the oven to 450°F. If you have a pizza stone, set it on the lowest rack or oven floor.
Working with one piece at a time, gently deflate the dough, and pat/flatten it into a 14" x 5" rectangle. Use your fingers (or the handle of a long wooden spoon) to press five lengthwise grooves into the dough. Press firmly, but don't cut through the bottom of the dough.
Spread half the glaze onto the dough, rubbing it all over. Sprinkle with half the seeds.
Slide the bread onto the stone and bake it for 15 to 18 minutes, until it's golden brown. If you're not using a stone, place the bread on a baking sheet and bake it on your oven's middle rack. Remove the bread, and cool it on a rack.
While the first loaf is baking, prepare the second loaf. Bake as directed.
Serve warm, or at room temperature; traditional accompaniments are olives, cucumbers, and feta cheese.
Store leftovers, well wrapped, for several days at room temperature; freeze for longer storage.
Comments