Back in 2010, I shared an image of bread along the streets of Syria and the value of this daily sustenance. It’s certain that the scene has changed since I broke bread in Syria, and people throughout the country are experiencing loss beyond belief. If you’re able to gather these modest ingredients and fire up an oven, you’re living a life that not everyone has access to but deserves — one with access to healthy food without hostility.

Basic bread from the ovens of Syria

2 cups water (warm)

1 package rapid rise yeast

6 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons sugar

Place flour in mixing bowl. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Add salt to yeast mixture. Pour yeast mixture into center of flour. Mix thoroughly and knead until smooth. Cover bowl with a moist towel and let rise two hours. Punch dough down and let rise for an additional hour.

Divide dough into miniature rounds.

Place small rounds of dough on baking sheet.

Bake in hot oven – it’s difficult to achieve the same result that fiery-hot commercial ovens produce, but try setting a conventional home oven to 450 degrees and bake on top rack for 6 minutes.

Makes 10 generous servings.

Peace.