Peppy's Pita Bread

Source: Lisa's Cooking Cache

1 1/8 c water
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. oil
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast 

Place all ingredients in bread pan, select Dough setting, and press Start. 

When dough has risen long enough, the machine will beep. Turn off bread machine, remove bread pan, and turn out dough onto a lightly floured contertop or cutting board. Gently roll and stretch dough into a 12" rope. With a sharp knife, divide dough into 8 pieces. 

Roll each piece into a smooth ball. With a rolling pin, roll each ball into a 6- to 7" circle. Set aside on lightly floured contertop; cover with a towel. Let pitas rise about 30 min. until slightly puffy. 

Position oven rack in middle of oven; preheat to 500°F. Place 2-3 pitas on a wire cake rack. Place cake rack directly on oven rack, bake pitas 4 to 5 minutes until puffed and tops begin to brown. Remove from oven and immediately place pitas in a sealed brown paper bag or cover them with a damp kitchen towel until soft. Once the pitas are softened, either cut in half or split open the top edge for half or whole pitas. They can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for several days or in the freezer for 1-2 months. 

SUBMITTED BY SUSAN EK