CHALLAH WITH SAFFRON
"I rarely think it's worth the time and effort to bake homemade bread: There are artisanal bakers almost everywhere making delicious baguettes and whole-grain breads. Still, every once in a while, I find myself longing for the feel of soft pillowy dough in my hands and the smell of freshly baked bread in the house. My favorite bread to make at home is this Challah with Saffron. It's similar to French brioche, but it's formed into a long braid, and mine has a hint of saffron that I simply adore. It takes a little time to make, between the mixing, kneading, rising and baking, so it's a great weekend project when I'm puttering around the house. The fresh challah is divine, and the leftovers make the best French toast or savory bread pudding. Trust me, you'll be so glad you made it!" says Ina.
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 1h25m
Yield 1 large loaf
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Warm the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook by rinsing it with hot water. Pour the warm water into the bowl (be sure it's at least 110 degrees F when it?s in the bowl) and mix in the yeast, sugar and saffron. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, until it starts to froth, which tells you that the yeast is active. Add the eggs and egg yolk and mix on low speed. With the mixer on low, gradually add 4 1/2 cups of the flour, scraping down the bowl as you go. With the mixer on low, add the salt and butter, then slowly add between 1 and 1 1/2 more cups of the flour, mixing on low for about 5 minutes and continuing to add a dusting of flour to the bowl but only enough so the dough doesn't stick to the bottom of the bowl. The dough will be soft and a little sticky.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead it by hand for a full 2 minutes. Roll the dough into a ball with the smooth side up. Brush a large bowl with vegetable oil and place the dough in the bowl, smooth-side down. Roll the dough around to cover it with oil, then turn it smooth-side up, making sure the entire dough is covered with oil to prevent a crust from forming. Cover the bowl with a clean dry kitchen towel and allow to rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, until doubled in size.
- Punch the dough down lightly and turn it out onto an unfloured cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 4 equal pieces. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Turn the first ball of dough smooth-side up and roll it into a cylinder. Roll the dough into a rope 17 inches long and lay it seam-side down on the parchment paper. Repeat for the other 3 balls of dough, laying them side by side on the parchment paper.
- To braid the dough, pile one end of the ropes on top of each other and pinch them together and under. With the pinched end away from you, take the far right rope and move it left over 2 ropes. Then take the far left rope and move it right over 2 ropes. Continue taking alternate ropes and laying them over 2 ropes until you?ve braided the entire bread. Pinch the ends together and fold them under. Cover the bread with a clean dry kitchen towel and allow it to sit in a warm place for 45 to 60 minutes, until doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place an oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Brush the bread thoroughly with the egg wash and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the outside is browned and it sounds hollow when you tap the bottom. Place the challah on a baking rack and cool completely.
SWEDISH SAFFRON BREAD
On the morning of Dec. 13, Swedish families recall St. Lucia with saffron buns served by a girl wearing a crown of candles. During the rest of the holiday season, saffron bread is braided into a wreath or simply baked in a pan so it can be easily sliced.
Provided by Recipe Baroness
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 3m
Yield 1 loaf
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Set the oven at 250°F.
- Put the saffron in a cup and put it in the oven.
- After 5 minutes, pour 1/4 cup of very hot water over it.
- Let it steep for 20 minutes while you get on with the rest of the preparation.
- Put the raisins in a bowl and cover with hot water.
- Set aside.
- Mix the yeast with the milk and 1 teaspoon of the sugar and leave for 10 to 15 minutes in a warm but not hot spot.
- Combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix in the yeast mixture and then the butter.
- When everything is thoroughly combined, add the saffron mixture.
- Drain the raisins and add them.
- Mix and knead thoroughly until the dough is soft but not sticky.
- Roll it into a ball and put it in a greased bowl.
- Cover with a plastic bag and let it rise in a draft-free spot until it has doubled in bulk. This takes about 2 hours.
- Knock the dough down by thumping it firmly several times.
- Knead it for 2 or 3 minutes.
- To make a wreath shape, divide the dough into 3 pieces and roll each into a rope about 18 inches long.
- Braid the 3 ropes together and twist into a circle. (Or make hollows in the wreath so that you can stick candles in them after baking.).
- Tuck the ends underneath.
- Place on a greased baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.
- Let rise in a draft-free spot for about an hour or until doubled in bulk.
- During the last 10 minutes of rising time, set the oven at 400°F
- Brush the bread with the egg wash.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the wreath is golden brown and sounds hollow when rapped on the bottom.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 3345.1, Fat 109.7, SaturatedFat 65, Cholesterol 481.1, Sodium 1361.7, Carbohydrate 520.6, Fiber 19.4, Sugar 111.3, Protein 72.9
SAFFRON BREAD
This is one of those recipes you will either love or hate. We make this bread every year at Christmas time, and it never lasts very long!! We love it warm with butter or peanut butter. This recipe makes a lot of bread, and I am not sure what would happen if you tried to halve the recipe.
Provided by starryangel777
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 8h
Yield 6 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Steep the saffron in the hot water overnight. Make sure you use a container that is covered to keep the heat inside. This step is crucial to getting the taste and flavor you want in the bread.
- The next morning, Sift the flour into a very large bowl add the sugar then cut in the butter and crisco using a pastry cutter.
- Add the currants, raisins, orange peel, lemon rind, nutmeg, salt and saffron water.
- Mix together, then sprinkle the yeast on the top of the mixture and add the lukewarm water.
- Knead the bread mixture until everything is combined. The bread should be a light orange/dark yellow in color.
- Then place the bread in a warm location, covered. And allow to rise until doubled in size.
- Once doubled, knead the bread again, and allow to rise until doubled one more time.
- Cut the dough into 6 loaves.
- Knead each dough ball and then place the loaves into greased loaf pans.
- Cover the pans and allow to rise until about level with the top of the pans.
- Bake the loaves at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
MIDDLE EASTERN SEMOLINA AND SAFFRON BREAD
Saffron, turmeric and semolina flour give a lovely golden color to this crusty, dip-ready bread. Prep time includes rising
Provided by Annacia
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h25m
Yield 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Crush the saffron and mix it in 1 teaspoon of boiling water, set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together the 1/2 cup warm water, the yeast, and sugar. Let stand about 5 minutes or until frothy.
- Stir in the 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil saffron mix. Add 2 cups of the bread flour, the 1-2/3 cups semolina flour, the turmeric, caraway seed and salt. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining bread flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total). Shape dough into a ball. Grease a large bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place dough in greased bowl; turn once to grease surface of dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1 hour).
- Punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; sprinkle parchment with the 1 tablespoon semolina flour. Set aside. Shape each dough half into a 6-inch round loaf. Place dough rounds on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double in size (about 30 minutes).
- Adjust one oven rack to the lowest position and another oven rack to the lower-middle position. Set a shallow baking pan on the bottom rack. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Using a sharp knife, cut an X into the top of each loaf. Place baking sheet with dough rounds on the middle rack. Place the ice cubes in the shallow baking pan on the lower (as they melt, they'll create steam, which helps the dough rise and develop a crisp crust). Bake rounds about 25 minutes or until deep golden and rounds sound hollow when tapped. If necessary to prevent overbrowning, cover rounds with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Transfer to a wire rack; cool completely.
WELSH SAFFRON BREAD
This wonderful creation comes from Heartland by Marcia Adams, but I found it on the Batter-Splattered blog.
Provided by strawberrybird
Categories Breads
Time 1h20m
Yield 1 loaf
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Pour 2 cups boiling water on dried currants and soak for 15 minutes, then drain. Pour remaining water over saffron and steep until cool.
- Cream butter and sugar until well blended, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, blending after each. Add lemon zest and juice.
- Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and add to the sugar-butter mixture, alternately with the saffron water, beating until just blended. Stir in raisins and drained currants. Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake 40 - 50 minutes until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Tip out onto a rack to cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2507.2, Fat 105.6, SaturatedFat 62.2, Cholesterol 667, Sodium 3884.6, Carbohydrate 358.9, Fiber 19.7, Sugar 141.7, Protein 47.6
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