Tuesday 22 July 2008

Brown Version of the Softest Bread

A couple of months ago I waxed lyrical about white bread I made that was the softest loveliest loaf I had made. To see this just click on the link below. This is the brown version. It worked out so well I just had to share. For those of you who can't be bothered looking back, the recipe from The Italian Baker by Carol Field is Pane in Cassetta which is a sandwich loaf. It called for the loaf to be baked in a Pullman pan. This is a long pan with a sliding lid. I had never heard of a Pullman pan let alone know what it looked like. I improvised by placing one loaf tin on top of the other. The result was amazing. I decided I would like to try one of these Pullman pans and I searched. They are not easily obtained on this side of the pond. I managed to acquire one on Ebay (Is there anything you can't buy there?) The results were good but nowhere near as good as the method I used. I am still no closer as to the reason why. Some things I think are better just accepted.

http://teandwheatenbread.blogspot.com/2008/05/softest-bread.html

600gms/1lb 6oz white bread flour
100gms/4oz bran
A handful of seeds to your liking such as sunflower pumpkin etc.
400mls/14fl.oz tepid water ( You may have to add a little more because of the bran. Do so little by little)
50gms/2oz lard melted
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teasps salt
One envelope or a teasp of fast action yeast.

Mix all the ingredients together and knead for ten minutes by hand/ five mins with a dough hook in the mixer/approx 1 minute in the food processor.
Form into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl covered with cling film and leave in a warm place until doubled in size-about an hour.

Flatten the dough on a lightly floured work surface to expel the air bubbles.
Roll out to form a rectangle approx 9"x15"/23cmsx40cms.
Fold in thirds like a business letter then roll out and fold again.
Flatten the dough to fit into the buttered floured pan.
The strong and compact dough should fill the pan about half way
Place another pan of the same size, well buttered, on top.

Leave to rise in a warm place for approx 1/2 -1 hour covered with the other tin. It should rise to nearly the top of the tin
Bake in a pre-heated oven 200.C/400.F/Gas 6 for an hour.
Gently unmould onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.


Notes The pans I used measured 23.5 x1 9.3 x 6.99cms/9.25 x 5.25 x 2.75 inches
You can substitute oil instead of lard but this will make a difference to the texture.
Remember lard has half the saturated fat of butter.
I don't get on with wholemeal flour very well. I find it produces a loaf with a density I dislike. That is why I use white flour and add bran.


13 comments:

hungryandfrozen said...

I might have to give this a go, especially since I've had such success with your Cobb loaf :) I love adding bran and seeds to bread recipes and experimenting with what works. Certainly looks delicious! :)

Gloria Baker said...

Dear Granny what lovely recipe of bread and look so nice and delicious, I hope totry soon, I need some bread's recipe sometimes, thanks to sharing, xxGloria

Coby said...

That bread looks good enough to not even need butter Granny! You have come a long way with your bread making in such a short time:) Well done!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

That bread looks delicious and extremely soft! A wonderful brown loaf!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

Another delightful bread! I used this recipe to make little rolls instead, http://culinarytravelsofakitchengoddess.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/make-it-snappy/ and they were so good too. It's such a versatile recipe :)

xx

Rhyleysgranny said...

Thank you all xxx

Coby I remember very well you encouraging me when I started to it.

George it is amazing how one recipe can create so many variations isn't it?

Thinking About Food said...

Oooooh, I have everything in for that recipe, sounds fab, now, what else can I make to go with it.....

Jeanine - The Baking Beauties said...

That bread looks fantastic! Wonderful job!

Pam said...

This looks amazing. I have always been afraid to bake my own bread but I may have to now. Nicely done.

Madeline said...

Wow, what a great idea with the pans. The bread looks absolutely amazing. Can't wait to try this trick!

Nickki said...

That bread looks fantastic Granny :) You certainly have the magic touch when it comes to breadmaking. Well done for getting on Foodgawker! :)

cantcook/wontcook said...

Now I know why you are busy. Can I have fudge cake next time I call pls looks beautiful

Rhyleysgranny said...

Phyllis I will make the fudge cake for you :) LOL LOL LOL