Pita Bread

4½ to 4¾ cups flour

1 package yeast (1 tablespoon)

1½ teaspoons sugar

1½ teaspoons salt

1¾ cups warm water

2 tablespoons oil

Preheat oven to 500*F. Makes 12 pocket breads. In a large mixer bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. Add warm water and oil. Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand; gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a firm dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap then a towel. Let rest 20 minutes. Punch down dough. Divide into 2 parts. Divide each half into 6 pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball. Cover; let rise 30 minutes. On lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 5-inch circle. Place 6 circles on a large cooling rack. Place cooling rack on oven rack. Bake at 500*F for 5 minutes until puffed and tops just begin to brown. Remove from rack; cool. Cut circles in half and fill.

VARIATION: Stir in 1 cup wheat germ with the second addition of flour.

Whole Wheat Pita

6 cups whole wheat flour

1 package yeast (1 tablespoon)

1 tablespoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons sugar

2 ½ cups warm water

2 tablespoons oil

Preheat oven to 500*F. Makes 24 pocket breads. In large mixer bowl, combine 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt; mix well. Add warm water and oil. Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a firm dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap, then a towel. Let rest 20 minutes. Punch down dough. Divide into 4 parts. Divide each fourth into 6 pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball. On lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 5-inch circle. Cover; let rise 30 minutes. Place 6 circles on large cooling rack. Place cooling rack on oven rack. Bake at 500*F for 5 minutes until puffed and tops just begin to brown. Remove from rack; cool. Cut circles in half and fill.

***The rolling and baking instructions should be carefully followed to be sure the bread bakes with a pocket. Pita is easier to make than most loaf type breads and there is an added health benefit because it is low-fat and low-sugar. Like other wheat products, it is very nutritious, contributing the three B vitamins (thiamine, niacin and riboflavin), Protein and iron. And the carbohydrate in wheat is a primary source of energy.

Pita Fillings can include: Your favorite Chicken Salad; Tuna Salad; Taco Filling; Egg Salad; Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato; Peanut butter, bananas and honey; Pepperoni, green pepper and mushrooms; Corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese; or Sloppy Joe mix. Just use your imagination.