Simit (sesame bread ring)

I have always been captivated by the simit, that gleaming, sesame-crusted ring that anchors Turkish mornings. Historically traced to the Ottoman imperial kitchens and immortalised by street vendors who once sold them from brass trays balanced on their heads, this bread is more than a simple carb delivery system; it is a daily ritual. A truly great simit balances a shatteringly crisp, mahogany crust with a tender, slightly chewy crumb that yields without collapsing. The sesame coating must adhere uniformly, toasted to a nutty fragrance, while the interior carries a faint, natural sweetness from grape molasses and a whisper of olive oil. Most home attempts fail at the shaping stage, leaving uneven rings that bake into dense, pale pucks, or they skip the traditional alkaline dip, sacrificing that signature glossy finish. You will find packaged, vacuum-sealed versions in supermarkets for roughly two pounds, but they are a hollow compromise: dry, overly sweetened, and coated in a stale, oxidised layer of seeds that flakes away at the first bite. Making it from scratch takes barely more time than waiting for a delivery, yet returns a living, breathing bread that snaps audibly when torn. The process is forgiving if you respect the dough’s hydration and give the yeast a proper environment to bloom. My library presents three paths to this same result, all using identical, uncompromising ingredients. Whether you are folding your first ring or mastering the traditional stretch-and-twist, the reward is the same: a warm, fragrant circle that tastes like the Bosphorus itself.

Storage times are a guide — always use your judgement and store food safely.