Talami
A soft flat village loaf, dimpled with the fingers and baked with olive oil and a scatter of sesame. Larger and thicker than khubz, and it does not puff.
Method
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Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt, work in 5 tbsp oil and the water, and knead 8 minutes to a soft dough.
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Cover and prove 75 minutes, until doubled.
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Heat the oven to 240°C / 465°F.
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Divide the dough into 6 and press each out on an oiled tray into a rough 18 cm round about 1.5 cm thick. Do not use a rolling pin.
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Press your fingertips deep into each round all over, right down to the tray, making dimples that stay.
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Drizzle with the finishing oil so it settles in the dimples, then scatter with sesame and flaky salt.
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Bake 15 minutes, until set and only lightly coloured. Stack them under a cloth as they come out so they stay soft.
Chef’s Tips
- Dimple deeply and right down to the tray, or it puffs like a pita.
- Hands, not a rolling pin.
- Stack under a cloth to keep them pliable.
Pairing Suggestions
- Labneh
- Shanklish salad
- Olives
Storage & Reheating
Two days wrapped. Warm briefly before serving. It freezes for 2 months.
Common questions
How long does Talami take to make?
About 40 minutes of hands-on work — 25 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour 15 minutes of the dough rising, so allow 1 hour 55 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Talami?
Dimple deeply and right down to the tray, or it puffs like a pita. Hands, not a rolling pin. Stack under a cloth to keep them pliable.
What should I serve with Talami?
Labneh; Shanklish salad; Olives.
Can Talami be made ahead or frozen?
Two days wrapped. Warm briefly before serving. It freezes for 2 months.
Is Talami suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Talami?
About 290 kcal per serving, with 8 g protein, 50 g carbohydrate and 6 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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