Ingredients
Method
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl or jug, whisk together the lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar. Set it aside for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy on top. This shows the yeast is active and ready to go.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the 500g of strong white bread flour and 1 ½ tsp of salt. Make a well in the centre.
- Form the Dough: Pour the frothy yeast mixture, 150g of plain yoghurt, and 2 tbsp of olive oil into the well. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix everything together until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth, soft, and elastic. To check if it’s ready, you can do the windowpane test. I find that using a dough scraper helps manage the initial stickiness.
- First Rise: Lightly oil the mixing bowl, place the dough back in, and turn it over to coat. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel or cling film and leave it in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Flatbreads: Once risen, knock the air out of the dough and tip it onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then use a rolling pin to roll it out into a rough oval or circle, about 3-4mm thick.
- Cook the Flatbreads: Heat a large, heavy-based frying pan (cast iron is ideal) over a medium-high heat. Once hot, place a flatbread into the dry pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until puffed up and speckled with golden-brown spots. Repeat with the remaining dough, stacking the cooked flatbreads on a plate covered with a tea towel to keep them warm and soft.
- Make the Garlic Butter: While the flatbreads are cooking, melt the 100g of salted butter in a small saucepan over a low heat. Stir in the 3 minced garlic cloves and the chopped parsley. Let it gently infuse for a minute, but don't let the garlic brown or it will become bitter.
- Serve: Brush the warm, cooked flatbreads generously with the garlic butter. Serve immediately while they are at their best.
Notes
For extra soft flatbreads, stack them under a clean tea towel as they come out of the pan. This traps the steam and keeps them pliable.
