Name: Simit
Yield: 8 rings
Cuisine: Türkiye
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp instant yeast; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tbsp sugar; 1 1/4 cups warm water; 3 tbsp grape molasses (pekmez); 1/2 cup water for dipping; 1 cup sesame seeds; 1 tbsp oil; Cream cheese or white cheese to serve

Where it comes from

Simit has been baked in Istanbul and Anatolia for centuries and is one of the most common street foods in Turkiye. Vendors carry stacks of fresh simit, and it is paired with tea, cheese or jam.

Explore the cuisine of Türkiye.

Recipe

Make Simit at home

Serves 8 ringsTime 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp instant yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water
3 tbsp grape molasses (pekmez)
1/2 cup water for dipping
1 cup sesame seeds
1 tbsp oil
Cream cheese or white cheese to serve

How it's made

Mix the flour, yeast, salt, sugar and warm water; knead for 8 minutes until smooth.
Let rise in a covered bowl for 1 hour.
Divide into 8 pieces and roll each into a 20-inch rope.
Fold each rope in half and twist the two strands together, then pinch into a ring.
Whisk the molasses with the dipping water.
Dip each ring in the molasses mixture, then roll in sesame seeds to coat.
Place on trays and bake at 450F for 15 to 20 minutes until deep golden.
Cool slightly and serve warm.