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Turkish-Style Sesame Rings
A simit is a Turkish sesame-coated bread ring that resembles a slender bagel formed from twisted dough. It’s a street-food favorite that’s typically eaten at breakfast, but we think it’s also great with dips and spreads or alongside soups and stews. True simits are dipped in a mixture of water and pekmez (grape molasses) before they’re dredged in sesame seeds and baked. The result is a golden, lightly crunchy exterior that contrasts a pleasantly chewy crumb, with a subtle sweetness and the earthy, nutty flavor of sesame. Instead of pekmez, we use a combination of honey and molasses, which lends sweetness and helps with browning. We like the speckled look of a couple tablespoons of black sesame mixed into white sesame, but it’s fine to use only white. The rings are best eaten within a few hours of baking, but they will keep in an airtight container for a couple days. To rewarm, lay the rings on a baking sheet and place in a 375°F oven for about eight minutes.
Makes eight
5-inch simits
Don’t flour your work surface when rolling the dough ropes and forming the rings. The tackiness of the dough against an unfloured counter creates the resistance needed for shaping. If during rolling the dough springs back, cover it and allow the gluten to relax for a few minutes while you work on another piece.
4½ hours
2 hours active
Ingredients
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455
grams (3½ cups) all-purpose flour
-
1½
teaspoons instant yeast
Directions
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01In a stand mixer with the dough hook, mix the flour, yeast and salt on low until combined, about 1 minute. With the mixer running, gradually add the water; mix until a dough forms that clears the sides of the bowl, 1 to 2 minutes. Increase to medium-low and knead until elastic, slightly stiff and clears the sides of the bowl, about 5 minutes. Detach the bowl from the mixer and lift out the hook. Use a silicone spatula to scrape the bowl and gather the dough in the center. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled, 1½ to 2 hours.