Winter Breads from Casa de Cuisine: Iranian Khubz Mbassis

A few years ago I was dining at an Iranian restaurant in California and enjoyed an incredible bread which on the menu was called Khubz Mbassis. It was quite like any bread I have ever eaten. Aside from being made solely from semolina flour, it also had hints of sesame seeds and anise seeds.

Though I was immediately attracted to the dough and crust of this bread, it was the taste which totally won me over. After many hours of research I found a recipe for this bread and then the task of adapting it to an American kitchen ensued. This recipe is the result of many hours of testing and tasting. It might not be truly authentic, but it has the taste, look and feel of the real deal.

From the kitchen of Casa de Cuisine to your winter kitchen, I hope you enjoy this bread from Iran!

Ingredients needed to make Khubz Mbassis (makes 4 individual loaves):

• 7 cups semolina flour
• 3 tsp. yeast
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 ½ tsp. salt
• 5 Tbs. olive oil
• 2 Tbs. melted butter
• ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tsp. anise seeds
• 1 egg, beaten

Steps:

1. In a large bowl whisk the semolina flour to remove any lumps.

2. In a small bowl whisk together the yeast, warm water and sugar. Set the bowl aside 5 minutes for the yeast to proof (foam).
3. Stir the proofed yeast into the semolina flour. Stir in the salt, oil and butter to form a hard dough.
4. Remove the dough to a floured surface and knead 5 minutes (if the dough is too dry then add a little water). Place the dough back into the bowl, cover and let rise 2 hours.
5. Punch the dough down. Remove the dough to a floured surface and slightly flatten with the palms of your hand. Sprinkle the top of the dough with the toasted sesame seeds and the anise seeds. Knead the seeds into the dough.
6. Divide the dough into four pieces and form each into a loaf.
7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the loaves on the prepared baking sheet and let rise 2 hours.
8. Pre-heat oven to 450.
9. Brush the loaves with the beaten egg. Place in oven and bake 15 minutes. Lower the heat to 350 and bake 20 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack.

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