Best Country Loaf Recipes

COUNTRY MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add soup, pepper and stuffing mix. Combine beef, veal and pork; crumble over egg mixture and mix well. , Press into a 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 1-1/2 hours or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°. Drain.

COUNTRY HERBED MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• In a skillet, heat oil on high. Saute the mushrooms; onion and garlic. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper and sugar. Remove 1-1/2 cups. Add water, bay leaf and basil to skillet. Simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. , Meanwhile, combine all meat loaf ingredients with 1-1/2 cups reserved sauce. press into a 9x5-in. loaf pan lined with waxed paper. Unmold onto a roasting pan. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°. Remove from oven; drain. Spread 1/2 cup of herb sauce over top of meat loaf. Return to oven for 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf and serve remaining sauce over individual servings.

WHOLE GRAIN SOURDOUGH RUSTIC COUNTRY LOAF

Steps:

• Combine salt with flour in a mixing bowl, then add water and mix either by hand or with a dough whisk until fully incorporated into a "shaggy mass."
• Add starter and mix / squish by hand until fully incorporated. The process of incorporating the starter is a bit of primary kneading and should result in the dough smoothing out some, but don't go nuts. As soon as the starter is fully incorporated, you're done.
• Cover mixing bowl and let sit.
• First Bulk Fermentation Period
• The first (of three) bulk fermentation period is at room temperature which for me is 73 - 75 degrees F, and lasts about 10 hours.
• At about an hour in, do 5-10 minutes of hand kneading (see notes and video below) until the dough develops some strength and elasticity and becomes noticeably smoother. Cover and let sit.
• Every 1-2 hours (exact timing is not important - really!) do a short round of stretching and folding to re-develop the dough's elasticity (see notes and video below). Then re-cover and let sit.
• Second Bulk Fermentation Period
• After about 10 hours, or whenever the dough has risen to about 1.5 times its original volume, put the covered bowl of dough into a cold (~40 F) refrigerator and let sit (for me, this is overnight) for about 10 hours.
• Third Bulk Fermentation Period
• Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature again.
• As the dough warms up, resume periodic stretch and folds. Dough should be feeling progressively more lively, developing a bit of sour aroma, and eventually starting to bubble some.
• This final bulk fermentation period is the hardest to put a time length on. Getting it right matters, and it will totally depend on how active your starter is, how warm your kitchen is, and a whole host of other mostly invisible things. You are shooting to finish this period when the dough has risen to 2 - 2.5 times its original volume and ideally is actively blowing a few bubbles. I've had this take anywhere from 4 - 8 hours depending on this and that. Your mileage may vary. Try not to overshoot this - you'll probably have a better result erring on the too soon side than the too late side.
• Shaping and Proofing
• (See notes and video below)
• Prepare a lined proofing basket by generously flouring the inside and set it aside.
• Lightly flour a large work surface and turn the dough out onto it.
• Wet your hands, punch down the dough and then stretch and flatten it into a large thin rectangle.
• Fold dough in half from top to bottom and press top into bottom, flattening again but not as big as the initial rectangle. At this point, you want the height of the dough rectangle to be right about the length of your proofing basket (no more than that).
• [Optional] Lightly flour the top of the dough (and your hands).
• Start at one end and roll the dough rectangle into a cylinder.
• Keep track of the seam and transfer the dough cylinder into the lined, floured proofing basket seam-side up.
• Cover and let sit for 1 - 1.5 hours.
• Baking
• From 30 - 60 minutes after transferring dough into proofing basket, pre-heat oven and clay baker to 450 degrees F ~ about 20 - 30 minutes.
• Uncover dough and transfer from proofing basket into base of clay baker, score top of dough, cover and bake at 450 F for 25 minutes.
• Uncover clay baker, reduce oven temperature to 400 F and bake uncovered for another 20-25 minutes (or until desired crust color develops).
• Remove bread and place on cooling rack for at least a couple hours before cutting.

COUNTRY-STYLE MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• Lightly steam onions, celery, and bell peppers and let cool. Place the cooled vegetables into a mixing bowl and add the pork, sirloin, ketchup, eggs, half and half and mix well. Mix in the oatmeal and spice mix. Place the meat into a loaf pan lined with bacon strips. Place in refrigerator overnight so that the meat loaf firms up. When ready for use, remove from the refrigerator; cover the top of the loaf pan with aluminum foil; place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven on top of a roasting pan. Do this to prevent the overspill from making a mess out of your oven and cook until the inside temperature (with a thermometer) reaches 165 degrees (about 1 1/2 hours). 15 minutes before it is done, remove the foil - this will allow the top to brown. Remove from the oven and pour out excess oil and let it sit for 20 minutes. Turn the loaf pan upside down to remove the meatloaf. Slice with a sharp knife.

COUNTRY LOAF

Steps:

• First, make the starter. Tip the flour and yeast into a bowl. Pour over 200ml warm water, use a wooden spoon to mix together, then cover the bowl with a piece of oiled cling film. Leave in the fridge overnight, after which the dough should look fairly frothy and bubbly, with a sweet yeasty smell.
• Now make the bread. Tip the flour into a bowl along with the yeast and salt. Pour 150ml warm water and the yogurt into the starter mixture, stir until well combined, then pour this into the bowl with the flour. Use a spoon to bring the mixture together into a ball - this will take a couple of mins as the flour needs to absorb the water. Add another 50ml water if the dough feels tight.
• Tip out the dough onto a surface lightly dusted with flour. Push down and away, using the heel of your hand to stretch out the dough, then fold the outside edge back over itself to make a ball again. Twist the dough round a bit and start again. Keep kneading like this for about 10 mins, depending on how vigorous you are. When it's ready, the dough should feel slightly springy when touched and have a smooth surface when shaped into a ball. Alternatively, you can knead the dough for about 5 mins in a table-top mixer or food processor with a dough attachment.
• Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside. Oil a piece of cling film, lay this loosely over the top, then leave in a warm, draught-free place until nearly trebled in size - this can take from 45 mins to about 1½ hrs. Remove the cling film and punch down the airy dough with your hand. Tip out onto your floured surface, knead a couple of times until smooth and the air has been knocked out, then lightly oil a large baking sheet. Shape the dough into a round ball and place on the sheet. Re-cover with the oiled piece of cling film and leave until doubled in size, about 1 hr.
• Heat oven to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Place a roasting tin on the bottom shelf of the oven and carefully half-fill with boiling water from the kettle. Leave in the oven for 10 mins so it gets steamy. If your dough has spread, gently tuck the ends under to make a neat ball, then use a sharp knife to make a few slashes across the bread before lightly dusting with flour. Place the baking sheet on the top shelf of the oven and bake for 20 mins. Turn the heat down to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7, bake for 25 mins more, then take out of the oven. Tap the bottom of the loaf - it should sound hollow. Return to the oven for another 10 mins if not. Leave to cool on a wire rack. Great with a bowl of soup, as a chunky sandwich or, best of all, lightly toasted with some butter and jam.

COUNTRY LOAF

Steps:

• Mix 2 cups of the flour, the sugar and yeast in large bowl. Add warm water. Beat with wire whisk or electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let stand about 1 hour until bubbly.
• Stir in oil and salt. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft, smooth dough forms. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary to keep dough from sticking, until dough is smooth and springy.
• Place dough in large bowl greased with shortening, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place about 1 hour or until double. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
• Grease uninsulated cookie sheet with shortening. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Gently shape into an even, round ball, without releasing all of the bubbles in the dough. Stretch sides of dough downward to make a smooth top. Place loaf with smooth side up on cookie sheet. Spray loaf with cool water. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 45 to 60 minutes or until almost double.
• Place square pan, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches, on bottom rack of oven; add hot water to pan until about 1/2 inch from the top. Heat oven to 425°.
• Spray loaf with cool water; sprinkle lightly with flour. Carefully cut three 1/4-inch- deep slashes on top of loaf with sharp serrated knife.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until loaf is deep golden brown with crisp crust and sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool.

RUSTIC COUNTRY LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 190°C Sprinkle a teaspoon of the plain flour over the centre of a baking tray and set aside. Put 2 teaspoons of plain flour into a small bowl and set bowl aside.
• Meanwhile, put the remaining plain flour, wholemeal flour, baking soda and salt into a large bowl and mix well with your hands to combine.
• Add the butter, breaking it up into small pieces with your fingers, and mix it into the flour mixture until combined.
• Make a well in the centre of the flour-butter mixture and add the buttermilk.
• Slowly add the buttermilk into the mixture with your hands until a rough ball forms.
• Turn the mixture out on a lightly floured surface and form into a neat ball (without kneading).
• Transfer the dough to the centre of the baking tray and press gently to form a 20cm-wide round.
• Using a sharp knife, slash a cross 1cm deep across the entire top of the loaf and then dust the top of the loaf with the reserved flour.
• Bake until the bread is light golden and a tap on the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow, about 60 minutes. N.B. Oven temperatures do vary so keep an eye on its baking -- some oven's may take less and other's longer.
• Wrap the bread in a clean tea-towel, and allow to cool for about 2 hours.
• Slice and serve at room temperature or toasted, with a generous dollop of butter.

COUNTRY MEAT LOAF & POTATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except mashed potatoes. Place mixture in prepared baking dish and bake 35 minutes. Remove from oven, drain off any fat, and evenly spread mashed potatoes over top.
• Return casserole to oven and cook 25 to 30 more minutes, or until no pink remains in beef and potatoes are hot.

ITALIAN COUNTRY LOAF RUSTICA

Steps:

• If sausage comes in casing, remove casing break up. In large skillet, brown sausage, onion and garlic.** Drain set aside.For the bread, in large bowl, combine 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and yeast blend well. Stir in hot water and margarine mix well. Stir in remaining 1 cup all-purpose flour to form a stiff batter. Cover let rest 10 minutes.Grease 9- or 10-inch springform pan. Stir down dough. Spread about 2/3 of dough in bottom and 2-inches up sides of greased pan. Add cheese and peppers to meat mixture spoon over dough. Gently pull dough on sides over meat mixture. Drop tablespoonfuls of remaining dough over filling. With back of spoon or buttered fingers, carefully spread to cover. (Top will appear rough.) Cover loosely with plastic wrap and cloth towel. Let rise in warm place (80 to 85°F.) until light, 20 to 30 minutes.Heat oven to 400°F. Brush top of dough with beaten egg sprinkle with sesame seed. Bake at 400°F. for 25 to 35 minutes or until bread begins to pull away from sides of pan and edges are deep golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Loosen edges with knife remove sides of pan. To serve, cut into wedges. Store in refrigerator.TIPS:*Two medium chopped red bell peppers (1 1/4 cups) can be substituted for roasted red peppers.**If using chopped red bell peppers, cook with sausage, onion and garlic. Continue as directed above.HIGH ALTITUDE - Above 3,500 feet: No change.Nutrition Per Serving: Calories 350 Protein 19g Carbohydrate 35g Fat 15g Sodium 550mgFrom "Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off® Cookbook." Copyright 2004 General Mills. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.