Stottie Bread Recipe North East

STOTTY CAKE (STOTTIE CAKE)

Steps:

• 1. If using fresh yeast crumble it into a jug and then add the white pepper, sugar and a little tepid water to mix. Place somewhere warm for 10 to 15 minutes so it can start to "work" it is ready to use when it becomes frothy. 2. Put the bread flour and salt into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre, pour in the yeast mixture and the remaining water. If using dried yeast, just sprinkle the yeast in to the flour at this stage, with the sugar and white pepper and add the water as before. 3. Mix and then knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. (The word stotty is believed to be derived from the local word of "stotting" which means to bounce, and I remember my grandmother "bouncing" her bread on the kitchen table for ages! So, don't be shy when kneading.) This bread needs to be well kneaded for at least ten minutes. 4. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and set to one side, somewhere warm, to allow the dough to rise. This will take about an hour, and the dough should have doubled in size before you can use it. 5. Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Butter or grease some large baking sheets. 6. Put the dough onto a floured board and divide it into two equal pieces; roll the dough out to make two large flat discs, about 1" (2/5cm) thick and then stick the end of a rolling pin in the middle of the dough to make an indentation. You can also prick the top of the bread with a fork too. 7. Place the Stotty Cakes onto the prepared baking sheets and bake in the pre-heated oven for 15 minutes, before turning the oven off and leaving them in there for up to half an hour to continue to bake. 8. Serve warm with butter, jam, treacle, honey or cheese, ham and Pease pudding.

STOTTIE CAKE (STOTTY)

Steps:

• Mix the yeast and sugar and dilute in ½ cup (150 ml) of water. Let stand for 15 minutes in a warm place away from drafts.
• Add the flour and pepper into the bowl of a stand mixer and dig a well in the center.
• Add the yeast and sugar mixture and the rest of the water into the well.
• Using the dough hook, knead for 2 minutes at medium speed and add the salt.
• Continue kneading for about 5 minutes or until obtaining a soft and elastic dough.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and, while kneading, bounce it for 10 minutes.
• Put the dough back in the bowl of the stand mixer and cover it with a cloth.
• Let the dough rise for 1 hour in a warm place, away from drafts.
• Preheat the oven to 390 F / 200 C.
• Place the dough on a floured work surface and divide into two or three equal dough pieces.
• Form balls of dough and flatten them to a thickness of about 1 inch.
• Using a wooden spoon or the end of the rolling pin, make an imprint in the center of each bread and place them well-spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake the stotties for 12 minutes. Turn the oven off and continue baking for 30 minutes.
• Serve hot or warm with butter, marmalade, molasses, honey, cheese, split pea purée, or ham.

STOTTIE CAKES

Steps:

• Add the quick action yeast and sugar to the luke warm water/milk mixture cover with cling film and place somewhere warm to activate. when ready it should have a good head of froth on top.
• Sieve together in a large bowl the flour, salt and milk powder and sprinkle over the Olive Oil.
• When the milk/water yeast mixture is ready, pour into the well in the centre of the dry ingredients and oil then mix together thoroughly to form a ball of dough.
• Knead the dough until smooth and shiny and when you press it it springs back.( I use a Kenwood with the dough attachment at this stage for about 10 - 15mins)
• Place in a floured bowl covered with cling film and put somewhere warm to rise until twice its original size.
• Dependent on the temperature this could take up to an hour.
• Once risen "knock back" to take out the air and then roll out the dough to about 3/4 of an inch. Cut out into rounds about 5 ins in diameter (I use a Dimpled pint pot) Put onto floured baking sheets, prick with a fork twice , dust with flour, and place somewhere warm to prove and rise to about twice their size.
• Place in a preheated oven gas 7 220c (fan assisted 200c gas 6) for 12 to 15 mins
• Once cooked (test by knocking the bottom of a roll they shouldn't be too brown on top) remove and place on a wire cooling rack and allow to cool thoroughly before slicing.