Spring onion greens, green chillies, grated cheese and smoked paprika take this bread loaf to the next level!
I finally got my hands on some active dry yeast and the first thing i wanted to do was bake my own bread. But the restless soul within refused to try a regular bread of loaf. So after a lot of reading and research, I decided on this combination of flavours for my first ever loaf of bread! And trust me, this is one of the simplest recipes you will come across for a flavour packed, homemade loaf of bread.
Make sure you have a good couple of hours on hand including the time required for the dough to rest.
A part of the resting process also involves leaving the dough inside a mildly preheated oven. Preferably, use a 9 x 5 inches loaf pan.
Once we dug into this loaf of bread, I realised I could have added at least a couple of more green chillies for an extra zing............. and maybe some more cheese too. But this one still tastes out of this world and we ended up consuming quite a few slices without anything else to go with. You can always experiment if you feel a bit brave and try a couple of your own ingredients for a flavour that suits your taste. Let's go!
INGREDIENTS
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour + extra for dusting and kneading
3 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
3 tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup grated cheese (go for 1 cup if you wish)
1/4 cup finely chopped spring onion greens
2 green chillies (the spicy ones!)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika or regular red chilli powder (optional)
METHOD
Mix the flour, sugar, salt and active dry yeast in a large bowl.
Heat the butter, milk and water together in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and heat again for 15 seconds if the butter does not melt fully.
Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients and stir with a spoon to bring together.
Add the egg and continue to stir to bring the mix together in the form of a rough dough.
Sprinkle some of the additional flour if required to bring the dough together.
Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 5 to 6 minutes till a soft, elastic dough if formed.
Place the dough back in the big bowl and cover for 10 minutes, allowing it to rise.
Chop the vegetables, grate the cheese and keep ready.
After 10 minutes, transfer the dough onto a flour surface and roll it out into a rough rectangle of 14 x 10 inches.
Sprinkle all ingredients evenly onto the rolled surface.
Starting at the bottom, roll the dough gently into a log.
Using a sharp knife, cut the log along the length leaving the top 1 inch as is.
Gently twist the two cut portions upwards and braid them till the end.
Lift the loaf gently and place it inside your greased loaf pan.
Preheat the oven to 100 C or 200 F and switch it off.
Place the loaf inside the oven for 60 - 70 minutes till it rises to almost double the size.
Remove from the oven and preheat the oven to 180 C or 350 C.
Bake the loaf for 20 - 22 minutes at 180 C till the top of the loaf browns lightly.
Remove from the oven and let it cool before slicing through!
I hope you enjoyed this recipe.
FOODLOVEBLISS.COM is my attempt at sharing my love for cooking, baking and capturing food that is simple, delicious and easy to make.
Everything you see here has been consumed by my family and friends, and hence, is tried and tested on a bunch of loyal guinea pigs.
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