SHAPING BIALYS

Press each ball of dough into a disk about 21/2 inches (6.5 cm) in diameter. Working with one disk at a time, flour both sides, and then use two fingers to make a depression in the center (A–B).

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Using your thumb and the first two fingers of both hands, pick up a disk and carefully rotate the dough, stretching it in the same way you stretch a pizza dough until the indentation or well in the center is 21/2 to 3 inches (6.5 to 8 cm) in diameter (C–E). Repeat with the remaining dough.

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Place the disks back on the floured work surface, stretching them slightly as they are lain down. Use your fingertips to press the centers slightly. Let the disks rest for 5 minutes.

Lift each disk up and stretch it so the center is about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter (F). Place them on two sheet pans lined with silicone baking mats or parchment paper, placing them in two rows of three bialys each.

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