Nan-E Lavash

Ingredients

• 14⅛ ozflourplus extra for rolling out
• 1 cupwaterwarm to hot
• 1 tspsalt
• 1 tbspoilneutral vegetable oil or olive oil, for the dough
• ¾ cupmilkwarm, replaces part of the water; makes the bread vegetarian rather than vegan (optional)
• 1 tbspDry yeastfor a lighter, risen dough (optional)
• ½ tbspsugaronly together with yeast (optional)

Method

1. Knead the doughMix the wheat flour and salt in a bowl. Add the warm to hot water and the oil, then knead for about 8 to 10 minutes into a smooth, supple dough.
2. Let the dough restCover the dough and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes, so it relaxes and rolls out more easily later.
3. Shape the dough ballsDivide the dough into 8 to 10 equal pieces and shape each one into a ball. Keep the balls covered so they don't dry out.
4. Roll out thinlyOn a well-floured surface, roll out one ball of dough very thinly, thin enough that light almost shows through. Shake off any excess flour.
5. Heat the panHeat a non-stick pan over medium heat, without any fat.
6. Cook both sidesLay the bread in the hot pan and cook until bubbles form and the underside is lightly browned. Turn it over and cook the second side the same way. Repeat with the remaining balls of dough.
7. Wipe out the panEvery so often, wipe scorched flour out of the pan with a dry cloth or kitchen paper, so it doesn't turn the next breads bitter.
8. Stack and cover the breadsStack the finished breads straight away and cover them with a clean, slightly damp cloth to keep them soft.

Tips and variations

For a lighter dough, dissolve instant yeast and sugar in warm milk, using it to replace part of the water. Leave the dough to rise for 40 minutes, then let the shaped balls rest for another 15 minutes before rolling them out. Made with milk, the bread is vegetarian rather than vegan. For the plainest version, leave out the oil too and knead the dough from nothing but flour, water and salt. The breads are at their best fresh and still warm from the stack. Serve them alongside a meal, or fill and roll them up as soon as they come out of the pan.