Mashateeh

If you’re looking for a delicious homemade bread recipe, this guide will help you make a flavourful bread with a golden crust topped with black and white sesame seeds. Perfect for a day when you want fresh, homemade bread and a traditional one that is made in many households in Southern Lebanon especially during the month of Ramadan.

Ingredients

500 g bread flour

310 ml water, lukewarm

1/2 tbsp yeast

2 tbsp caster sugar

2 tbsp milk powder

1 tsp Mahlab (optional)

1 tsp aniseed powder

1/2 tsp salt

100ml ghee

Black & white sesame seeds

Method

In a bowl or jug combine water and yeast. Leave it to sit for about 10 min to activate.

In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Create a whole in the middle and add the activated yeast & water, milk powder & ghee. Start bringing it together using a fork then knead with your hands until you have a soft smooth dough. Cover & let sit until it doubles in size.

Turn out the dough and divide it in two. Work out the dough using your hands until you have a long rectangular shape. No need to use a rolling pin here. Once you have your desired size, brush the dough with an egg wash. This is optional but I like the golden colour it creates. Sprinkle with white & black sesame seeds and using finger tips create dimples in the dough all over.

Place in a preheated 190°C oven for about 15 minutes.

Keep in an airtight container. These are best eaten within a day.