You can make a batch of these in the time it takes to boil water. Seriously. If you are tired of staring at the same stale bread options every morning, this is the fix. It is light. It is warm. And it tastes like comfort without the fuss.
Akıtma is essentially a yeast-based flatbread. It cooks fast. You don’t need a fancy oven or hours of proofing. Just a few ingredients and a non-stick pan. Here is exactly how to get it done so you can start your day without stress.
The Shopping List
You likely have most of this in your fridge already. The goal is simplicity.
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 pack of fresh yeast (about the size of a matchbox)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 small packet of butter or margarine (for the pan)
- Flour (as much as the dough needs)
The Process
Start by waking up your yeast. This is the only step that requires patience, but only about five minutes.
Pour one cup of milk into a bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Crumble in your fresh yeast. Mix it until the yeast dissolves and the mixture looks creamy. If you rush this, your dough won’t rise properly. Let it sit.
Once the yeast is active, add one cup of water. Now comes the flour. Sift it directly into the wet mixture. Sifting is key here. It keeps the texture light. Add it slowly. You want to stop when the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It should be soft but not sticky.
Sprinkle in the teaspoon of salt. Knead it briefly by hand or let the mixer do the work. Cover the bowl. Place it somewhere warm.
Why warm? Because cold dough moves slow. A warm spot speeds up the rising process, getting you to breakfast faster.
While the dough rises, heat up a medium-sized non-stick skillet. Add a small amount of butter or margarine. Swirl it around to coat the bottom and sides.
When the dough has doubled in size, it is ready. Do not punch it down aggressively. Just take a ladle or a large spoon. Scoop the batter into the hot pan.
Cook until both sides turn a nice golden brown. This usually takes just a couple of minutes per side. The edges will look slightly puffed.
Remove it from the heat. Brush the top with a little more melted butter if you like. Repeat until the dough is gone.
You might wonder if you need to re-grease the pan every time. The answer is no. The first layer of butter is enough. Subsequent akıtmas will slide right out.
The result is a stack of soft, slightly tangy, yeasted pancakes. They are perfect for dipping in tea. Or just eating plain.
Why settle for boring toast when you can have something homemade? The smell alone will wake up the whole house.
Eat while they are hot. They do not keep well overnight.
Enjoy.
