Who would've thought that our final bread for April, a bread with "things" in it, would end up being my favorite for the month? I do not generally like "things" in my bread...not fruit, nuts, big chunks of spices. And this one has all three!
This is supposed to be Hazelnut and Fig Bread with Fennel Seeds and Rosemary. I couldn't find hazelnuts, and I don't like them anyway, so I decided to sub in walnuts. And then the figs that were in my pantry ended up being really old and hard; I was able to salvage about half as much as I needed. A friend of my mom's recently gave her a giant bag of currants, which she passed on to me, and I've been dying to use them in a bread. So I subbed in currants for the remaining weight of figs.
So here we are with Walnut, Fig, Currant, Fennel, and Rosemary Whole Wheat Bread. This is a one-day bread from the straight dough section. I mixed bread flour, whole wheat flour, instant yeast, salt, fennel seeds, rosemary, and water, for about three minutes. Then I added in the nuts and fruit; I had to incorporate them by hand. After a two hour rise with one fold, I shaped my half-batch into four mini-boules (about 8 ounces each). I baked them for about 28 minutes at 425 F.
These were surprisingly tasty, especially with a little butter. They were a strange but flavorful addition to our dinner (cider-baked ham, chantilly potatoes, cucumber salad, and angel food cake).
I like things in my bread, and all these happen to be things I love in my bread...oh, that looks wonderful, inside and out!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I also tend to avoid bread with "stuff" in it, mainly because the girls complain. I should really make them more often, even if it's just for me & J.
ReplyDeleteThose look really good! Glad you still made them, subbing a different nut. I loved the figs in it. I kind of promised hubby I'd use the leftover figs to learn to make fig bars for him. I used currants for Easter too, but in a batch of hot cross buns.
ReplyDeleteI haven't made this one yet, so am encouraged by your yummy looking bread here :-)) Might make a small version of it :)
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful looking bread! I really wanted to make this one, but am holding out for the figs and hazelnuts which probably won't be in the stores till next Christmas. I haven't found currents in a long time either. Excellent looking bread, hope mine turns out as well when I get to make it!
ReplyDeleteDelicious looking loaf, Abby! I love walnuts in bread, but Small Man's allergic, so I haven't tried a walnut loaf in years - yours looks soooo tempting, though! :)
ReplyDelete