Obi Non
Obi non is the round, seed-topped bread that sits at the center of every Uzbek meal, considered almost sacred in local tradition. It is said that bread should never be placed decorated-side down or thrown away, no matter how stale, a sign of deep respect for daily sustenance. Every city in Uzbekistan has its own style of decorating and shaping obi non, and the recipe varies subtly from region to region, from the thickness of the rim to the type of seeds used. Baking in the tandir, the traditional clay oven, remains the preferred method, even in modern cities, where artisan bakeries continue the practice inherited over generations.
Traditional round bread
The bread is disc-shaped, with a thick rim and a thin, patterned center.
Baked in a clay oven
The tandir, a cylindrical clay oven, gives the crust a unique smoky taste.
Pattern pressed with a chekich
A special tool presses decorative patterns into the center of the bread.
Black cumin seeds
Black cumin seeds sprinkled on top give a distinctive aroma.
Ingredients 4 servings
- 500g flour
- 10g dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 300ml warm water
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 egg for glazing
- 1 tbsp black cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
How to make it
- 1Dissolve the yeast in the warm water with the sugar and let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
- 2In a large bowl, mix the flour with the salt, then add the yeast mixture and the vegetable oil, kneading an elastic dough for 10 minutes.
- 3Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for one hour, until doubled in size.
- 4Divide the dough into four equal pieces, shaping each into a disc with a thick rim and a thin center, pressed with fingers or a special tool.
- 5Let the discs rise for another 20 minutes, then prick the center with a fork to prevent excessive puffing.
- 6Brush the breads with beaten egg and sprinkle with black cumin and sesame seeds.
- 7Bake in a very hot oven, ideally a tandir, or failing that at 250°C for 12-15 minutes, until the edges turn golden and puffy.
Nutritional info
per serving (~350 g)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
