My Pita bread recipe

First off: please note that this is a HUGE recipe. We use pita bread for sandwiches, for dipping in hummus, as a snack, and to make pita chips... so you might want to halve the recipe if you are just trying it out.

Chewy Pita Bread
4 tsp yeast
2 tbsp sugar
2 1/2 cups warm water
4 cups bread flour
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt


Combine yeast, water, sugar, and 1 cup of your flour in large mixing bowl (or in your standing kitchen mixer, use paddle attachment for this step). Give it a quick whip with your whisk to make sure the yeast is mixed in and then let sit for 10 minutes to allow your yeast to bloom. Add salt, and then slowly add flour one cup at a time, but be sure to add ALL flour. If using a standing mixer, switch to the dough hook after 4 cups of flour. The recipe should require all the flour and if it is too dry add some olive oil 1 tsp at a time until it forms a ball. Remove from mixer and begin to knead with your hands until the texture of the dough is smooth and no lumps remain. Form into a ball and drop into a well oiled bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set somewhere warm and dry to rise for 90 minutes.
Turn out onto floured surface and knead for another 5-10 minutes. Divide into balls 2-2 1/2 inch in diameter (or whatever size you prefer, to be honest...) and use a rolling pin to roll each ball out into your pita shape.
Now here's where it gets interesting. There are two ways to cook your pitas. The healthy way: baked in the oven... or the sinful way: fried. I prefer them fried, but its a long messy process, so its up to you...

Baking instructions: preheat oven to 450 degrees. Oil and flour a baking sheet, and place pitas on sheet. Bake for 3-10 minutes depending on oven, turn once if you would like both sides to brown.
Frying instructions: preheat oil to 350 degrees in a frying pan. Set pitas into oil one at a time, cooking each side until golden brown. Set on paper towels to drain.