Turkish Flatbread (Pide)

Directions

1. 1
   Dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup warm water, and let stand in a warm place 10 minutes until frothy.
2. 2
   Stir in the 1/2 cup of flour, cover with plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes.
3. 3
   To finish the dough, put the 3 1/2 cups of flour in a large bowl, and make a well in the center.
4. 4
   Put in the yeast-and-sugar mixture, salt, olive oil, and 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon of lukewarm water.
5. 5
   Gradually work in the flour to make a soft and sticky dough.
6. 6
   Knead the dough on a floured surface for 15 minutes.
7. 7
   The dough will be very sticky at first, but as you knead, it will gradually cease to stick to your hands.
8. 8
   You should have a damp and very springy dough that offers no resistance to kneading.
9. 9
   Put the dough in a oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise 1 hour, until well swollen.
10. 10
    (You can refrigerate the dough at this point until you're ready to use it.) Put the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a log.
11. 11
    Cut into 8 equal pieces, and roll each one into a tight ball.
12. 12
    Place the balls on a floured surface, and let rest 30 minutes under a towel.
13. 13
    Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and if you have them, heat tiles 30-40 minutes before baking.
14. 14
    Roll one ball of dough on a floured surface with a rolling pin into a circle 1/4- to 1/8-inch thick and 8 inches in diameter.
15. 15
    Brush the top with olive oil.
16. 16
    Bake 5 or 6 minutes, and repeat the process with the remaining dough balls.
17. 17
    As the pide come out of the oven, stack them in a large pan and keep them covered until all are ready to eat.
18. 18
    Remember to let the oven temperature return to 450 degrees after baking 2 or 3 pide.
19. 19
    Serve the pide hot.
20. 20
    They also can be reheated wrapped in foil.