Wheatpitabreadpockets Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F.
• Sift together 2 cups of flour and the yeast.
• Add water and salt and mix well.
• Gradually add in the remaining flour just until the dough begins to clean the sides of the bowl. Once this happens, stop adding flour (so, you might not use all the flour the recipe calls for.).
• Knead the dough for about 4 or 5 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic. (While you're kneading, you can get creative and add in some herbs or spices, but only if you want to do that). Be careful not to over-knead the dough.
• Form dough into 10 balls.
• On a floured surface, roll each ball into a 5-6 inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick. (Be sure to sprinkle a little flour on both sides to prevent sticking).
• Place on a non-stick baking sheet and allow to rise 30 minutes, or until slightly raised.
• Just before you place the pan in the oven, flip each pita over on its other side.
• Bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 5 minutes. (The instant hot heat will help them puff up).
• When the pitas come out of the oven they will be hard, but they will soften as the cool.
• Store them, while they're still warm, in plastic baggies or an airtight container.
• Cut the pitas in half crosswise and stuff with your favorite fillings (beans and rice, taco fixings, thick stews, curries - anything goes).
• Pitas can be reheated in a 350°F oven or in the microwave.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Mix together the mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, pepperoni, egg yolk and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl.
• Divide the dough into eight even pieces. Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour and roll a piece of dough out into a 5-inch round. Put 2 heaping tablespoonfuls of the cheese filling in the center and top with about 2 teaspoonfuls of sauce. Brush the edges of the dough with beaten egg and fold one side over the filling to make a half moon. Press and crimp the edges. Put the pocket on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, filling and sauce. Brush the tops of the hand pockets with egg and cut a 1-inch vent in the center of each.
• Bake until golden brown and the filling begins to bubble, 24 to 28 minutes. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
• Alternatively, freeze the unbaked hand pockets for up to 1 month; bake as above, from frozen, 25 to 29 minutes.

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast, honey and ½ cup of the water. Stir gently to blend. Whisk ¼ cup of the bread flour and ¼ cup of the whole wheat flour into the yeast mixture until smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside until doubled in bulk and bubbly, about 45 minutes.
• Remove the plastic wrap and return the bowl to the mixer stand, fitted with the dough hook. Add in the remaining ¾ cup of warm water, 1¼ cups bread flour, 1¼ cups whole wheat flour, olive oil and salt. Knead on low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Transfer the ball of dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat and let rise in a warm draft-free place, about 1 - 1 1/2 hours, until doubled in bulk.
• Once the dough has risen, transfer to a lightly floured work surface, punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball. Flatten one ball at a time into a disk, then stretch out into a 6½-7 inch circle. Transfer the rounds to a baking sheet or other work surface lightly sprinkled with cornmeal. Once all the rounds have been shaped, loosely cover with clean kitchen towels. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, until slightly puffy.
• Place an oven rack in the middle position. Place a baking stone in the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F.
• Transfer 4 pitas, 1 at a time, onto the baking surface. (Note: These can be baked directly on the oven racks, but best results are baked on a baking stone.) Bake 2 minutes, until puffed and pale golden (mine took longer). Gently flip the pitas over using tongs and bake 1 minute more. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely. Repeat with the remaining pitas. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze.
• *As always, anything mixed in a stand mixer can be mixed and kneaded by hand.