Simit: Turkish Sesame 'Bagels'

Turkish street snacks have a special place in my heart. There's honestly nothing like a simit from a simitçi (a simit seller) carrying them on their head or in their carts in the streets (even thinking about this makes me miss them). So let's recreate these ICONIC "bread rings".

Ingredients

✿ 1 cup warm milk

✿ 1 cup warm water

✿ a little less than 1 cup of vegetable oil

✿ 1 tbsp sugar

✿ 1 tbsp salt

✿ 1 small packet of dry yeast

✿ +- 750 grams of flour

For the pekmez

✿ half a tea glass of grape molasses (pekmez)

✿ 1/4th tea glass of water

✿ Plenty of sesame seeds

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, warm water, vegetable oil, sugar, salt and yeast. Stir gently to dissolve the yeast. Gradually add flour while mixing until a soft, non-sticky dough forms.

2. Knead the dough by hand until smooth. Divide it into three equal pieces and place each portion into a proofing container. Let the dough rise for about 30 to 45 minutes.

3. While the dough is resting, mix 1/2 tea glass of grape molasses (pekmez) with 1/4 tea glass of water in a bowl. Set aside.

4. Use one portion of the risen dough (store the other two in the fridge to use later). Divide the dough into six equal portions. Take one portion, split it into two, roll each piece into thin ropes, and twist them together. Repeat with the remaining portions.

5. Dip each twisted dough ring into the pekmez-water mixture, then coat generously with sesame seeds.

6. Preheat your oven to 200°C. Arrange the coated simits on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crisp, about 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!