Crusty Emmer Hokkaido Pumpkin Bread (Dairy, Egg free)
Friday, December 04, 2020This bread is deliciously aromatic and flavoursome with a softer, and moister crumb and SUPER crunchy crust. Besides being delicious, there is something so magical and comforting about a large slice of warm, freshly home baked bread with a thin layer of butter spread across the top. It's a joy making and eating this bread.
Emmer is the perfect flour when you enjoy a hearty and healthful bread that's packed full of earthy and nutty flavour. I guaranteed that you will be hooked for life. In addition to being one of the world’s oldest wheat varieties, emmer is also an excellent source of fibre, protein, magnesium and vitamins A, B, C and E. I usually order mine directly from the farmer and mill them at home.
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- Place flours and salt in the bowl of your stand mixer. Add in pumpkin puree and fresh yeast. Stir at a slow speed and slowly add in water as needed to form a soft, slightly sticky dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 10-15 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto the counter top, and shape into a ball. Return the dough to the bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.
- Once the dough doubles in size, punch it down to expel the gas. Cover the dough again and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
- Shape the dough into a round ball. Place it, seam side down, into a floured proofing basket. Cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough proof at room temperature for approximately 40 minutes to an hour.
- Place an oven-proof casserole pan with a cover in the oven. Preheat the oven to 250C/480F fan forced.
- Turn the proofed bread out onto a piece of parchment paper, so the seam side up. Transfer the dough, parchment paper and all, into the casserole pan. Cover and bake at 230C/450F for about 40 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for a further 10 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
- Remove from the oven and transfer the bread on a cooling rack to cool completely. Wait at least an hour before slicing and serving.
Braided Loaf with Poppy Seeds
Wednesday, December 02, 2020A very simple yeast bread dough is divided into four strands and braided to form an elegant loaf. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds before baking. It is crispy and flaky on the outside and soft tender on the inside. Braiding 4 strands of dough can be tricky, but the technique isn't hard to master and it's actually easier than you think. Here is a video on How to braid a 4-strand loaf.
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- Place yeast, sugar and warm water in a jug. Whisk with a fork until yeast has dissolved. Stand in a warm place for 10 minutes or until frothy.
- Sift flour into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir in salt, yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix on low speed to form a soft dough. Increase the speed and knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 7 minutes.
- Turn out the dough and shape into a ball. Lightly grease the mixing bowl and return the dough to the bowl. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Using your fist, punch dough down. Knead until smooth.
- Line a pullman pan with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 4 even portions. Roll each portion into a 35-cm strand, slightly tapering the ends. Form into a plait, tucking the ends under. Place it into the prepared loaf pan.
- Cover with lightly greased plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place for 50 minutes or until dough has almost doubled in size. Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan-forced/400F.
- Brush dough top with egg. Sprinkle with poppy seeds and salt. Bake for 25-35 minutes until nicely golden and crunchy. Cool on a wire rack, then serve with poppy seed spread or butter, if desired.
Muhammara Roasted Red Pepper Walnut Dip
Sunday, November 29, 2020A traditional Middle Eastern red pepper and walnut dip, this Muhammara recipe is easy and quick to make. Originating from Syria, muhammara tastes deliciously spicy, nutty, tangy and pairs perfectly well with fresh flatbread or any of your favourite bread. If you’re short on time, you can use jarred roasted red peppers instead. Muhammara can be made in advance as it keeps well in the fridge for a few days and the flavour develops even better after storing a day in the fridge, but be sure to bring the dip to room temperature before serving.
Muhammara | Flour Tortillas |
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Roasted Purple Carrots with Cilantro Yoghurt and Pistachios
Wednesday, November 25, 2020I love how coriander, garlic, chilli pepper and roasted pistachios add aroma, texture and flavour to this otherwise simple roasted vegetable recipe. The combination of tangy Greek yoghurt and sweet carrot is just perfect. It makes a feast of a light lunch or if you are looking for a more substantial meal, toss it with some whole grains or grilled meat. It is simple to make, and you can use other root vegetables too, like parsnips, rutabagas or beets. It would be great to sprinkle some dukkah (a Middle Eastern spice blend made with toasted nuts, seeds and fragrant spices) over too.
Cilantro Yoghurt | |
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- Preheat oven to 200C/400F. Place carrots, garlic and thyme on a baking tray. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with coriander, salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast until the carrots are tender, about 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yoghurt, chopped cilantro, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine and add salt to taste.
- Spread the prepared yoghurt on a platter and arrange roasted carrots on top. Scatter chopped pistachios, chilli pepper flakes and fresh herbs on top, and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Pineapple, Matcha, and Puffed Teff Granola Wedges
Monday, November 23, 2020Give your granola bars a nutritious boost with matcha- a fine green tea powder, packed with antioxidants. These granola wedges are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined-sugar-free. Substitute your favorite dried fruit, nuts and/or seeds for the pumpkin seeds and/or dried pineapple in these granola bars. Puffed teff can be substituted with quinoa or amaranth pops too.
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- Preheat oven to 160C/320F. Combine rolled oats and pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the oats are lightly toasted and have a nutty aroma. Remove and set aside to cool.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the maple syrup, almond butter, coconut oil, and vanilla paste. Whisk to combine.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled oats and pumpkin seeds with the dried pineapple, puffed teff, sea salt, and matcha powder. Pour the almond butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir quickly to mix.
- Spread the mix into an 9-10 inch springform pan lined with plastic wrap or baking paper. Press down the mixture firmly. Place in the fridge for a couple hours to firm up, then remove from fridge and slice into wedges. Keep leftovers in the fridge for up two weeks.
Flower Pot Whole Spelt and Rye Bread with Hazelnuts and Quark
Saturday, November 21, 2020These are some fun, totally foolproof, yeast-free and delicious bread to bake in a flower pot, which I have adapted from this Quark-Nussbrote found on eatsmarter. The dough is prepared with a mix of whole spelt and rye flour with Quark (a type of German fresh cheese), spices and whole hazelnuts that would result a rustic, hearty bread packed with nutrition and flavour with slightly denser and chewy texture.
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- Whisk together the spelt, rye flours, and baking powder together with all the spices in a mixing bowl. Now add in olive oil, 160 ml of the milk, eggs, and sea salt. Use a hand mixer fitted with dough hooks to beat all the ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
- Turn the dough out on a lightly floured work surface and knead in the hazelnuts. Cut out two portions of dough, each weighs about 150 grams. Shape each into a ball and place each into a small greased or parchment-lined flower pot. Shape the rest of the dough into a ball and place into a large grease or parchment-lined flower pot. Brush the top with the rest of the milk.
- Fill an oven-safe bowl with water and place it at the bottom of your oven. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F fan forced.
- Bake the small ones for 30 minutes and the large one for 60-70 minutes until nicely golden brown. Remove and cool briefly. Turn out the bread and cool on a wire rack completely before slicing.