I’m going through a major reorganization of my (hard copy) recipes (from various magazines and blog printouts). Major! I’ve logged in probably close to 20 hours and I’m not even half-way through. But it’s been fun… and addictive… and things are slowly but surely shaping up!
My favorite thing about the final product (which I guess is not even final yet) is that all the pretty food pictures of recipes that look appealing to me are right there, in the format that’s enjoyable to browse through (as opposed to before, where a few nice recipes were either buried between useless articles or worse – shoved into a big folder also known as the black hole for recipes).
So the other day, I was doing my thing, gluing away, and Adam spotted a picture of the spicy chicken shawarma recipe from Cooking Light… and said: “You need to make this asap!” The good wife that I am, I put it on next week’s menu… and decided to take it up a notch by making my own whole wheat pitas. Why not!
I used the whole wheat pita bread recipe from the King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking cookbook, which looked easy enough.
I 
my Kitchen Aid.
My dough was seriously sticky. I think I added a bit more flour and definitely let the mixer go for longer than the book specified.
Eventually I stopped it and hoped that once the yeast does it’s thing, everything will turn out fine 
Why hello, Mr. Yeast… looks like you’ve been hungry!
The dough was still slightly goopy (see top right in the picture above) but a slight toss in some flour produced perfect little dough balls.
Hi cuties! [Ok, I really need to stop this whole talking-to-my-food thing.]
Roll ‘em out…
And into the oven (on a pizza stone) they go!
OMG, OMG, OMG – they’re actually ballooning up!!!! [Yes, I was that excited.]
Actually, most of them looked like the ones below – at best. Spraying some water into the oven seemed to help a bit (thanks, Emily for this tip on twitter… Btw, I changed my twitter handle to @elinaholbrook… follow me if you love me!!)
Dinner time!
My first pita opened up so easily and perfectly, I was excited about “nailing it”!
The ones that followed definitely put up a fight (after this dinner I pretty much used them as flatbreads). They were really pillowy and doughy though so I enjoyed the texture.
I hate how store bought whole wheat pitas taste like cardboard so I’d love to find the perfect homemade (fool-proof) recipe that I can make over and over. It’d be cheaper too!
Have you ever made pitas? Any tips for me on technique, or maybe a link to a better recipe? Thanks!
PS – The chicken recipe was quick and easy but nothing earth shattering taste-wise. The pitas were definitely the highlight of the meal for me!
Dude you totally nailed it. I don’t know what you do for a ‘day job’ but I think you’d make an amazing chef!
Haha, that’s very far from a financial analyst (my day job). Is anyone hiring a failed pita maker?
Looks delish! Well done!!
Yum, I’d love homemade pita! Even the ones that turned into flatbreads sound good to me!
I’ve been wanting to make pita bread for a while now, and these look great! If you find a recipe for the perfect whole wheat pita, please do share it with us
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I will definitely do that. I’m on a mission now
I would get giddy as well when they started getting poofy! Looks like you nailed the recipe – they look very tasty.
They turned out fabulously! The finished meal looks delicious
I haven’t made pitas before but they’re definitely on my list to make. I think yours look awesome! And a side note, I should really try to start organizing my recipes like that too.
Pita bread is a staple at my house! Thanks for the recipe and tips!
These look amazing! I have never made pita but definitely prefer fresh pita to store bought.
I made whole wheat pita bread once and it came out great! I loved watching it puff up in the oven! I’ve only tried the recipe once, so I haven’t tested enough to know for sure that it is foolproof, but I can say that it came out perfect the first time.
http://4seasonsoffood.blogspot.com/2011/03/whole-wheat-pita-bread.html
haven’t tried them myself… yet! someday
Beautiful pitas!! Actually I think pita bread is one thing I haven’t ever even thought of making! Apparently I need to spend some more time with my KA Whole Grain cookbook, becuase those look and sound delicious!
I too have a serious PILE of magazines to go through!
I got hooked on the idea of making my own pita as soon as I got home from Israel and decided to throw a shawarma party (hasn’t happened yet.) Have you thought about grilling your pita? I bookmarked this recipe: http://oishiifood.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/grilled-pita-bread/
Grilled pita sounds to-die for (as does a shawarma party!)… everything is better grilled… or covered in chocolate