Asiago Sour Dough Bread Starter Recipes

PULL-APART GARLIC BREAD WITH ASIAGO CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Use a bread knife to cut a cross-hatch pattern into the top of the bread, stopping short of cutting through to the bottom of the loaf (so the loaf holds together).
• Melt the butter in a small skillet over low heat. Add the olive oil and garlic and cook, stirring often, until very pale golden, about 4 minutes. Stir in 3/4 teaspoon salt and the parsley. Remove from the heat.
• Gently separate the cubes of bread from the top of the loaf. Spoon some of the garlic butter in the cuts and spread it over the cut surfaces; use all but 2 tablespoons of the garlic butter for this. Slather the remaining garlic butter on top of the loaf. Distribute the Asiago between the cuts and on top. Wrap the loaf in foil and place it on a baking sheet.
• Bake the bread until heated through, about 10 minutes. Unwrap the foil and continue baking until slightly crisp on the outside, 5 to 7 minutes more. Serve immediately.

ARTISAN ASIAGO BREAD

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the sugar and yeast. Add warm water. Beat with whisk or electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; let stand about 1 hour or until bubbly.
• Stir in oil, rosemary and salt. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft, smooth dough forms. Let stand 15 minutes.
• Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead 5 to 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Knead in 1 cup of the cheese. Grease large bowl with shortening. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 45 to 60 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
• Lightly grease uninsulated cookie sheet with shortening or cooking spray. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Gently shape into football-shaped loaf, about 12 inches long, by stretching sides of dough downward to make a smooth top. Place loaf with smooth side up on cookie sheet. Coat loaf generously with flour. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; let rise in warm place 45 to 60 minutes or until dough has almost doubled in size.
• Place 8- or 9-inch square pan on bottom rack of oven; add hot water to pan until about 1/2 inch from the top. Heat oven to 450°F.
• Spray loaf with cool water; sprinkle with flour. Using serrated knife, carefully cut 1/2-inch-deep slash lengthwise down center of loaf. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese into slash.
• Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400°F. Bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until loaf is deep golden and sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack; cool.

ASIAGO DINNER ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix sugar, yeast, garlic salt, Italian seasoning and 2 cups flour. In a small saucepan, heat milk, water and 2 tablespoons butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Add egg; beat 2 minutes longer. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). , Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide and shape into 18 balls. Roll each into a 12-in. rope; tie into a loose knot. Tuck ends under. Place 3 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Melt remaining butter; brush over rolls. Sprinkle with remaining cheese., Let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°., Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown, rotating pans halfway through baking. Remove from pans to wire racks; serve warm.

GARLIC ASIAGO BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the oil, garlic, sugar, salt, vinegar and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. Stir in cheese., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch dough down; divide in half. Shape into 5-in. round loaves. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. , For egg wash, in a small bowl, combine egg and water. Brush over loaves. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

ASIAGO PESTO BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a food processor, add the almonds and pulse until they are finely chopped. Add the basil, black pepper and cinnamon and process until incorporated. Add 1 cup of the cheese, pulse a few times, then with the machine still running, slowly add in the olive oil.
• Cut the bread in half, spread it with the pesto and bake on a cookie sheet for 7 to 10 minutes. At this point, remove the bread, sprinkle it with the remaining 1/3 cup of cheese and turn on the broiler. Broil the bread until the cheese has melted and starting to brown. Remove from the oven, cut it into 8 portions and serve immediately.

ASIAGO CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• Place ingredients in bread machine according to bread machine recommendation.
• Set cycle for basic bread or white.
• Makes 1 1/2 lb. loaf.

SOURDOUGH STARTER

Steps:

• In a covered 4-qt. glass or ceramic container, mix flour and yeast. Gradually stir in warm water until smooth. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel; let stand in a warm place 2-4 days or until mixture is bubbly and sour smelling and a clear liquid has formed on top. (Starter may darken, but if starter turns another color or develops an offensive odor or mold, discard it and start over.) , Cover tightly and refrigerate starter until ready to use. Use and replenish starter, or nourish it, once every 1-2 weeks. To use and replenish starter:Stir to blend in any liquid on top. Remove amount of starter needed; bring to room temperature before using. For each 1/2 cup starter removed, add 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup warm water to the remaining starter and stir until smooth. Cover loosely and let stand in a warm place 1-2 days or until light and bubbly. Stir; cover tightly and refrigerate.To nourish starter:Remove half of the starter. Stir in equal parts of flour and warm water; cover loosely and let stand in a warm place 1-2 days or until light and bubbly. Stir; cover tightly and refrigerate.