Simit recipe

Dipped in molasses water and rolled in sesame, with a crisp crust and soft crumb. The twisting technique and oven heat for Istanbul-style simit.

What goes with it?

Knead the dough
Knead the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, water and oil into a dough of medium firmness. Cover and leave to prove.
Twist the rings
Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into 2 long ropes, twist them together, then join the ends to form a ring.
Dip in molasses
Thin the molasses with the water. Dip the rings in the mixture and drain, then press into the sesame seeds to coat both sides.
Second prove
Arrange on a tray lined with baking paper and leave uncovered.
Bake
Bake in a 220 degree oven until deep golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Best on the day. Freeze for up to 1 month and reheat in the oven for 5 minutes.

Simit is a symbol of Istanbul street life and appears in Ottoman records from the 16th century. In İzmir it is known as gevrek.