Simit's sesame-coated surface makes a warm teatime snack when combined with melting cheese and tomato. One large simit makes two small portions. Allow about five minutes for preparation and 6-10 minutes in the oven. Timing depends on the thickness of the simit and your oven's actual temperature.

Ingredients

  • 1 large simit
  • 60 g kaşar cheese or dil peyniri (Turkish string cheese)
  • 1 small tomato
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Rocket or parsley, to serve

Method

  1. Preheat a conventional oven to 190 °C and slice the simit in half horizontally.
  2. Place both halves on a baking tray, cut-side up.
  3. Divide thin cheese slices and drained tomato slices between them and sprinkle with thyme.
  4. Heat on the middle shelf for 6-10 minutes, checking until the cheese softens.
  5. Let cool briefly and serve with the greens.

Cut without breaking the simit

Use a serrated bread knife to split the ring horizontally. For a firm simit, use small sawing motions on a stable board rather than forcing the knife. A very dry, crumbling simit may not make a good base; if it has no spoilage, use smaller pieces in a breakfast bake instead.

Balance cheese and tomato

Thin slices of cheese melt quickly. Reduce the watery seed section of the tomato and cut thin slices. More topping is not necessarily better: too much tomato wets the base, while thick cheese may not melt before the simit dries out. Do not add extra salt when using salty cheese.

What to watch in the oven

Place the tray on the middle shelf. Check when the cheese has softened and the edges are lightly browned. If the sesame starts to darken, do not leave it longer. The grill colours quickly but also burns sesame easily. For a first attempt, conventional heat with frequent checks is easier to control.

Serving ideas and allergens

Divide the warm simit into smaller pieces and serve with rocket or parsley. Fresh vegetables bring variety to a plate otherwise made up of bread and cheese. The recipe contains sesame, wheat and milk. Changing an ingredient does not automatically remove every other allergen: read your product labels.