by Annette Bromley

Created on: January 18, 2011

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN FLATBREAD

Not all breads are made with yeast but bread has been around since the beginning of time.  Every culture has its own favorites when it comes to bread and all of them have bread that qualifies as flatbread, bread not made with yeast.

Bread, flatbread in particular has been an important part of our diets since civilization began and flatbread is healthier for you than yeast breads.  This common bread is without doubt the most often eaten food on the planet and is still made pretty much the same way as it was in the beginning though we are more apt to use our kitchen range instead of the open hearth or campfire.

Flat bread or skillet bread is known as simple bread and not made with yeast or cultured sourdough.  It is basically just flour, baking soda, salt and milk or water and is not baked but cooked on top of the stove or over an open fire (coals) on a skillet or griddle. 

It is flatbread that makes our tortillas, taco shells, bread used for roll-ups matzo, and crackers and the crust of our pizza.  Other flat breads you may be familiar with are pita, lavash, chapatti, naan and pancake or crepes, though pancakes also contain eggs and may call for shortening depending on the recipe.  It goes by various names in various cultures but is basically the same bread and is often used as the edible utensil for scooping foods such as salsa and stewed dishes from a common platter or bowl.  It is also the bread that is commonly used in most religious circles as symbolic bread in religious services. 

This type of bread is commonly made from wheat flour, processed wheat flour, corn flour and rice flour but you can add other flour and wheat germ for nutritional purposes too.  Flat bread has been served with meals since ancient of ancient times and today is considered to be healthier bread in many of the diets and fad diets that are popular in our society.  Flat bread is commonly made in the round but may be made in any shape you want to make it.

Flatbread is economical, easy and fun to make.  Here is how to make it.

To make flatbread all you need is a heavy skillet or griddle and a low fire.  In olden times they cooked them over the coals but your kitchen range or outdoor grill will do just fine.  While your skillet is heating mix together in a large mixing bowl; 2 cups of flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, a scant 1/4 tsp. salt (a good pinch) and mix it together.  Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour in 1 cup of buttermilk (or 1 cup whole milk soured with 1 tsp. vinegar) or you can use just plain water if you don’t have milk available.  Mix together into a stiff dough.  Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead gently until the mixture comes together and you can shape it into a ball.  Do not over knead or your flatbread will be tough.  Divide the ball in half or fourths depending on the size flat bread you want so you have dough balls of equal size and pat each ball down until you have a flattened round about 1/8 inch thick.  Lightly dust your hot skillet with flour or corn meal and cook for about 6 minutes or a little more on each side until they are light golden brown.  Place them in a bread basket and serve hot or cold with your choice of vegetables, fruits, meats, cheese or condiment.  It is as simple as all that.

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