Turkish simit … كعك السميت التركي

Breakfast is served … السميت التركي Freshly baked Simit (Turkish bagels), sunny-side-up eggs , cheese, veggies and mint tea. Enjoy your weekend. Recipe follows:

For the Dough:
3 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1 tbs of sugar
1/4 cup warm water
2 cups bread flour and 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tbs powdered dry milk
About 1 cup lukewarm water
For the topping
1/2 cup dates molasses mixed with 1/2 cup water
2 cups sesame seeds toasted.
Method:
Dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/4 cup warm water and let stand 10 minutes in a warm place until frothy.
Place the flour on the working surface, add salt and milk -mix until combine . Make a well in the center, and put in the yeast mixture, and 1 cup lukewarm water.
Gradually work in the flour to make a soft dough (you may not need all of the flour). If you have a heavy-duty mixture, it is best to knead for10 minutes with the dough hook on. until the dough is smooth and springy.
Put the dough in a floured bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. let rise 1 hour.
Knead the dough few times on a lightly floured work surface, roll into a log, and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a tight ball and let rest under a slightly damp towel about 10 minute
Roll each ball into a 15 inch rope, put every two ropes parallel to each other, pinching the ends together. Then roll in opposite directions to make a twist. Meet and pinch the ends on both sides together to form a circle. Repeat with the remaining 6 pieces to make 3 more simits.
Dissolve the molasses in water in a bowl. Put the sesame seeds in a plate and set it next to molasses water. Dip each ring in molasses water first, and then in the sesame seeds, making sure the ring is completely and thickly coated with the seeds on all sides. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Place 2 rings on each baking sheets and stretch them in the desire direction. let rest 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 465 F.
Bake in the middle rack of the oven until golden brown.
Have fun baking!