Bottle Bread (Khubz al-Qanani)

Besides the regular traditional flatbreads, al-Warraq’s Kitab al-Tabeekh contains some unusual bread recipes, such as ‘bottle bread’. Here is how to prepare it (my translation):

• Make a soft dough similar in consistency to that of zalabiya [pancake batter], using as much as needed of good-quality fine samidh flour [high in starch and bran-free] [and water].
• Pour a small amount of pure olive oil (zayt naqi) or sesame oil into wide-mouthed, heatproof, thin bottles, and sprinkle the inside with rose water. Pour the batter into the bottles until they are almost full. Place the filled bottles on flat tiles (qarameed) spread in the bottom of the tannour, and let them bake in medium heat until done. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick (khilal) into the baking dough. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.
• When you take out the bottles and break them, the breads will come out looking like bottles, God willing. [To serve,] moisten the breads, if you like, with refined sweetened milk perfumed with mastic and rose water, or with milk and honey, or eat it plain, God willing.