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foodservice Breads TURKISH James Beard award winner Anna Sortun of Sofra Bakery & Cafe in Cambridge, Massachusetts, took the stage at WheatStalk 2018 to demonstrate how bakers and chefs can capitalize on the unique flavors of Turkish and Lebanese flatbreads, including a demonstration on how to make Turkish yufka dough. Using red pepper paste, for example, adds a "vegetable quality" to flatbreads, Sortun explains, which translates into more appeal for America's growing numbers of vegetarians. "Middle Eastern flatbread is used like a sponge to absorb juices of chopped vegetables and roasted meats," she says. Ana Sortun led a class on Turkish and Lebanese flatbreads at WheatStalk 2018. "Non-yeasted doughs - yufka - are similar to a stretchy tortilla. Yufka is the dough we prepare at Sofra for all of our by executive chef Ana Sortun, together with business partner flatbreads. We stuff the dough with vegetable or meat fill- and executive pastry chef Maura Kilpatrick. While traveling ings and carefully fold, roll, layer and assemble, so you get the in Turkey, still deciding on the name for the bakery, Ana and perfect rotation of flavored bread." Maura would ask locals what the word "sofra" meant to them. They were amazed at how the word instantly brought a smile Carefully rolling the dough to capture the stuffing inside each to people's faces. In modern Turkish language, sofra means a delicious flatbread ensures that customers can enjoy an explo- table prepared or set for eating a meal. sion of flavor in each bite. In its "Top Six Food Trends for 2018," Campbell's Culinary & Yufka dough is made with ease, using all-purpose flour, kosher Baking Institute predicts culinary heritage to be one of the salt, warm water and two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. most popular trends. With nearly one of three Americans now This non-leavened dough is thinner than a tortilla, heartier than consuming foods that contain multicultural flavors at least phyllo dough, has substantial bite, but is very flaky, Sortun once a week, food production companies have an opportunity explains. It is used to make flatbreads, pastries and börek (a to capitalize on "the personal stories that define our food" by baked or fried pie in Turkey). Sofra Bakery offers a savory bringing culinary traditions to life. börek with fresh cheese and nigella seed at its bakery cafe. Prince Castle used consumer data from foodservice research In her 2016 book "Soframiz: Vibrant Middle Eastern Recipes firm Technomic to determine the best way to satisfy people's from Sofra Bakery and Café," Sortun shares 100 recipes that desires for craveable flavors. Among the many consumer pref- showcase Middle Eastern spices and flavors in a wide array of erences regarding flavors, according to the report, there are bakery products and meals. two key factors to consider: spotlighting new flavors is essential at restaurants, and customization is now an expectation. According to a report by the Vegetarian Resource Group, 37 percent of the US population always or sometimes eats vege- x 65% of consumers like trying new flavors from time to time. tion is vegetarian (including vegans) all the time, and about 5 percent always eat vegetarian or vegan meals when eating out. x 66% of consumers are willing to spend more on a meal that features new flavors. Sofra Bakery is the second location created by the Oleana Focusing on creative flavors helps bring in customers who are Restaurant Group. The bakery cafe was established in 2008 increasingly seeking out globally inspired menu items. 50 < APR 2018 | bakemag.com JOHN UNREIN tarian meals when eating out. About 3 percent of the popula-
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