Oriental pastries from the wood-fired oven

August 14, 2023 Julia Haberecht
Ratgeber

Oriental Pastries - An Overview

In the Middle East, a variety of delicious pastries are made in wood-fired ovens. These traditional specialties are characterized by their unique aromas and textures that arise from using the wood-fired oven. Here are some popular oriental pastries prepared in wood-fired ovens:

Flatbread (Pita): Flatbread is one of the most well-known and common oriental breads baked in a wood-fired oven. It is a thin, round, or oval bread with a soft crumb and a slightly crispy crust. Flatbread is a staple in many oriental countries and is often used as a side dish for various meals or for sandwiches.
Lavash: Lavash is a thin, unleavened flatbread from the Middle East, baked in a wood-fired oven. It is traditionally made from flour, water, and salt, and has a soft texture. Lavash is often used as a wrap for dishes like shawarma or as a base for rolls and wraps.
Saj Bread: Saj bread is a special flatbread baked on a convex cast-iron griddle known as a saj. The heat from the wood-fired oven is evenly distributed onto the bread, giving it a wonderfully tender texture and a light browning. Saj bread is often filled with various ingredients or simply served with dips and sauces.
Manakish: Manakish is a traditional Arabic bread variant that looks similar to pizza. The dough is rolled out thinly and topped with various ingredients such as za'atar (a spice blend of thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt), cheese, olive oil, or meat. The topped Manakish is then baked in a wood-fired oven and is a popular meal for breakfast or snacks in the Middle East.
Barbari Bread: Barbari bread is a thicker, long bread with a slightly crispy crust and a soft crumb. It is traditionally baked with stripes and grooves on the surface and is a popular bread in Iran. Barbari bread is often served for breakfast or as a side dish with main courses.
Fatayer: Fatayer are triangular pastries filled with various fillings. The fillings can include spinach, cheese, meat, or other ingredients. These filled pastries are baked in a wood-fired oven and are popular in many countries of the Middle East and the Levant.

These oriental pastries are just some examples of the variety of delicious specialties prepared in wood-fired ovens. The use of a wood-fired oven gives these pastries a unique touch, making them a special culinary experience and enriching the traditional cuisine of the Middle East.