On a visit to Barnes and Nobles, my hubby bought The best ever book of Bread by Christine Ingram. You know I am a bread addict, and love to bake bread. This book is full of colorful photos and information about a large variety of breads. I have to try a lot of bread, and it will take a few years to finish that book. While turning the pages I fell in love with this bread. So decide to bake first.
In the last one year, Syria is now known for its war, however it’s earlier known for its deserts and ancient ruins, and just like any other country its has its own cooking. The capital city is Damascus and other main cities are Aleppo and Homs. According to Wikipedia Syrian onion bread comes under the part of appetizer in Damascus cuisine. Za’atr is the major spice blend commonly used in the Middle East, with its regional differences (just like Garam Masala from India). Za’atr from Damascus is less sharp and peppery than the version from Aleppo. I bought a pack of za’atr spice blend however has not used yet this. This bread recipe doesn’t require that.
While looking at the recipe I found similarities with single-layered manaqish, Lebanon's breakfast bread, in the way of using topping and also shape similar to any round Arabic bread and look similar to our own Bilays.
One afternoon, while babies were taking a cat nap I started making the dough. I used both All - purpose flour and bread flour to make it less chewy. If you want to follow the original recipe you use only the bread flour. I found that recipe measurements were little off, so I corrected by my own intrusion and increased the filling amount, however reduced the coriander powder amount as my hubby is not fond of it, and added a little chili powder. While baking bread, it was giving out intoxicating aroma with all onion and mint, cumin, coriander and red chili powder. It was so delicious when it was out the oven. With my corrected version I was able to get 9 bread, however I will ask you to make 12 bread so it will be less thicker than mine.
Next day too they are fine, but one thing I found that topping have the some age old problem with bread, they started coming off if you tilt or turn the bread, so you have to eat bread holding upright position. My original idea was to eat it with soup or curry, but when we started eating them, we ate it just like that without any add-on. If you want a change from your usual breads, try this.
Here goes the recipe.
At first make the dough using all purpose, bread flour, salt, and yeast. I used instant yeast. If possible weigh the flour and other ingredients.
In a bowl of kitchen aid stand mixer dump all flour, salt, yeast and water gradually to form smooth dough and knead for about 10 minutes.
Transfer to lightly greased bowl and set aside for rise or yeast to do its job. Once it doubled in volume, it took about 75 minutes. Transfer to well floured surface and divide into 9 -12equal pieces.
Flat it into a circular disc of about 5-6 inch round, prick all over using fork and transfer to baking sheets cover with a kitchen towel and set aside for another rise to 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400F
In a small bowl add chopped onion, mint, cumin, coriander powder and chili powder and mix everything so that spices get mixed well.
When you are ready for baking, brush circles with olive oil and sprinkle topping mixture while sprinkle do it from little height to get uniform topping. Bake for about 30 minutes or until sides becomes brown.
Serve warm.
Syrian Onion Bread
Adapted from The Best Ever Book of Bread by Christine Ingram and Jennie Shapter
Prep Time 20 minutes
Rise Time : First time 75 minutes, Second rise: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 30 minutes
Serves 9-12 no.
Ingredients:
Bread
2 cup/ 280g/ All purpose flour
2 cup/ 320g/ Bread flour
2 ½ teaspoon/8g Instant yeast
1 teaspoon /5g Salt
10.5 oz /1-⅛ cup Water
2 tablespoon Olive oil
Topping
½ cup Chopped Onion
2 tablespoon chopped mint
1 ¼ teaspoon Cumin powder
1 ¼ teaspoon Coriander powder
¼ teaspoon Red Chili Powder
Steps:
In a bowl of kitchen aid stand mixer add both flour, salt and yeast and gradually add to water to form a sticky dough.
Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes to form smooth dough.
Transfer the dough to lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap and set aside for rise
or doubled in volume. It took about 75 minutes.
Punch down the dough and turn into lightly floured work bench. Divide the dough(934g) into
9-12 pieces. Roll it into 5-6 inch round. Make them slightly concave. Prick the disc with fork all
over to prevent puffing in the oven.
Space the rolled disc into lightly floured baking sheet with 1-2 inch space in between. Set
aside covering with kitchen towel for about 20 minutes.
While dough is doing its second rise .
Preheat oven to 400F
In a small bowl add chopped onion, mint, cumin, coriander powder and chili powder and mix everything so that spices get mixed well.
When you are ready for baking, brush circles with olive oil and sprinkle topping mixture while sprinkle do it from little height to get uniform topping. Bake for about 30 minutes or until sides becomes brown.
Serve warm.
Variations:
- Skip Chili powder if you want follow original recipe.
I am linking to Hearth and Soul Blog Hop hosted here.
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
The 21st Century Housewife© says
I love all the wonderful flavours you have used in the topping for your delicious Syrian Onion Bread! This looks like a very tasty bread indeed.
Elisabeth says
Wow...just look at all these comment for your amazing and perfectly yummy Syrian bread. Just love, love, this kind of bread, especially the amazing onion, topping with the spices, and mint. Yumm!!!
Vineetha says
This bread is surely a winner for me..Baking brad is something that I havent tried much 🙂
Rosita Vargas says
Exquisito y muy lindo me encanta gran trabajo,abrazos y abrazos.
Amrita Vishal says
wow such a beautiful bun and I especially loved the topping. A must try!!
anthony stemke says
A great presentation with lovely detailed instructions. These are reminding me of pizzettes (miniature single-serve pizza)a little. I like the topping and agree you have to be careful of losing portions of topping. Man alive, when you said bialy it brought back memories, I haven't had one in years (decades). Used to could find them wherever bagels were sold.
When it comes to bread you are the foremost authority. James Beard has nothin' on you.
Thank You.
Swathi Iyer says
Anthony I am flattered by your Compliments,. James Beard is genius, It will take a long years for me to reach that level.
Vrinda says
Very cute bread, bookmarked,lov the flavors in it...
Archana Potdar says
looks yum.must try
Lora CakeDuchess says
Such a gorgeous bread. I love onion in bread recipes and will make this probably on Sunday:)
Sayantani says
beautiful bread. best wishes on bijaya dashami.
srividhya Ravikumar says
bread looks really nice swathi..love it...
Reshmi Mahesh says
Bread looks wonderful and nice topping...
suhaina aji says
Wow. They look simply amazing. This bread was in my do list
for a long time. Now after seeing ur beautiful post i am sure going to
Try it soon. Ur clicks looks amazing. And the bread is perfectly baked.
Reeni Pisano says
These are absolutely perfect Swathi! I love the seasonings! You're such a talented bread baker. I haven't had a chance to tell you but I love the theme for this month's baking partners. It is something I need to really work on.
kala says
Myyy gooddd it's yummyyy yarrrr
Sherin says
Loved the presentation dear. They look perfect. 🙂
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
Mmmmm....This savory buns look so good, Swathi!
Treatntrick Treat and Trick says
I love the topping! It came out great....
Angie's Recipes says
These onion bread look so wonderful!
Navaneetham Krishnan says
Gosh, this is so good and attractive. Please don't make me hungry now. Need to have my bath and yum after seeing your pics.
Ramya says
This onion bread looks superb!I can bet that ur house must have been filled with the wonderful aroma while the bread was fluffing in the oven:-) Yeast and me are not good friends..:-(
Nandini says
The bread's baked very nicely! Cute shape!
Renata says
Wow, that's my kind of bread! I imagine how delicious it smelled while baking!
Chitra says
I suck in making buns. u made it very well 🙂
Mich PieceofCake says
Your onion bread looks delicious! I love the ingredients and fragrant spices.
mjskit says
What delicious looking buns! I would love to smell these baking in my kitchen!
Lizzy Do says
Your bread is fantastic!!! Beautiful and yummy, my friend!
Rebecca Subbiah says
wow looks amazing your hubby knows your well
Julie says
Perfectly puffed soft buns,yummy flavors too!!
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Saraswathi Tharagaram says
Oh my!!! what flavourful appetizer....They look soo good and perfectly baked..
Walking on Sunshine says
The bread looks so delicious! I would love a roll. Please join us on Friday for Foodie Friends Friday!
radha says
The bread looks nice. And you have added a few variations and made it your own!
Gajus kitchen says
Bread looks wonderful and like your detailed explanation
Suja Manoj says
Love the mint and onion flavor,great topping and lovely bread
Satya says
wow awesome looking bread...love the way u explained it
Super Yummy Recipes
Swasthi says
Onion bread looks awesome Swathi a unique kind of bread. Thanks for sharing
Sangeetha Priya says
Spicy buns looks delicious!!!
Today's recipe - Ragi Puttu | Steamed Ragi Snack
divya says
Looks delectable... and beautiful clicks
DivyaGCP says
Perfectly baked bread.. Neat Presentation..
PT says
makes me hungry now 🙂
Kaveri Venkatesh says
Looks very good Swathi...Love your bakes
Kaveri Venkatesh says
Looks very good Swathi...Love your bakes
Guru Uru says
These are simply gorgeous my friend, a bookmarked recipe 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Nivedhanams Sowmya says
Very impressive swathi. This one is new to me. Am bookmarking it.
Sowmya
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Vijayalakshmi Dharmaraj says
wow nice n loved the clicks n recipe akka...
love it..
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Priya says
Wow, onions in bread that soo marvellous..They came out super cute and absolutely incredible.
Beena.stephy says
Good bun nice topping
Vimitha Anand says
Wow baker. you wow me everytime. Nice bread
Divya Pramil says
Delectable presentation and nice write up dear 🙂 Awesome work!! 🙂
Sweet Corn Coriander Rasam
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uma shankar says
wow it looks superb!
sangeeta says
Hi Swathi, you have a nice blog. This spicy bread would be one I would love to bake as well. Loved the caramalised onion topping 🙂
Sanoli Ghosh says
Lipsmacking good bread Swathi. Love your detailed presentation dear.
Today's recipe:
http://sanolisrecipies.blogspot.com/2012/10/chicken-shashlik.html
Roha says
swathi very impressive and love the presentation and step by step clicks..:)
Great Job !!!