Kandil Simit~Sesame Bread Rings

Every year the celebration of Mevlid Kandil grows with new friends. Many new shinning faces, young and old, hurry in with their precious babies under arm. It is a time to come together and share the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) and also a time to pray for those in need, ourselves and all of mankind. Niagara Cultural center again prepared a wonderful program for us to enjoy. This year many lovely ladies prepared baklava and simit for the program at TASC. Some were round and chewy. Others were more like bagels, others were golden brown and dusted with Caraway and Sesame seeds. Simit has a crunchy texture, somewhere between a bread stick and a sugarless cookie. It can be served at early morning breakfast parties or in the evening while having your neighbors for coffee.
In Istanbul you can find the full size version of simit sold everywhere. It has more of a bread texture and is extremely delicious when bought fresh and warm. You can find vendors selling it on fairy boats or on the seaside as people wait for their transportation. Simit is a part of Turkish culture. Afiyet olsun!

Recipe

1 stick 2 tsp margarine (room temp)
1/4 c corn oil
1/2 c water (warm)
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 egg white
1 level tsp baking soda
Approx. 3.5 C flour
1 tsp mahlep
1 egg yolk (topping)
sesame seeds (topping)


What to do:
Mix all dry ingredients together mix well (keep 1 C flour on side). Then slowly add wet ingredients. Using your fists mash all ingredients together. The dough should be on the softer side so slowly add your reserve flour. If the dough starts to become too stiff omit extra flour or visa verse add more if needed. Let dough sit and preheat oven to 350* Place parchment paper on your baking tray. Take a small walnut ball of dough and roll into ribbon. Place ends together and shape on to tray. leave 1/2 in. in between. When finished brush with remaining egg yolk and then dust with sesame seeds. Bake till golden brown (check bottoms) Serve cold. Afiyet olsun!