Toasted Peasant Bread Recipes

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Light or Medium Crust cycle; press Start. For a crispier crust, use the French cycle or turn machine off after first rise and start the cycle over.

NO-KNEAD PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Combine the bread flour, whole-wheat flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water (about 100 degrees F) and mix with your hands or a spoon until the dough comes together (it will be wet and sticky). Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap. If you have extra time, refrigerate 12 to 24 hours; this is not necessary but will improve the flavor of the bread.
• Let the dough rise, covered, at room temperature for about 18 hours; this rise is necessary whether you refrigerate the dough first or not. The surface will be bubbly after rising.
• Generously dust a work surface with all-purpose flour. Turn the dough out onto the flour, then sprinkle flour on top. Fold the top and bottom of the dough into the center, then fold in the sides to make a free-form square. Use a dough scraper or a spatula to turn the dough over, then tuck the corners under to form a ball.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and generously dust with flour. Transfer the dough to the baking sheet, seam-side down, and sprinkle with more flour. Cover with a cotton kitchen towel (do not use terry cloth) and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, 2 to 3 hours.
• Position a rack in the bottom of the oven and place a 2- or 4-quart cast-iron or enameled Dutch oven (without the lid) on the rack. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F for at least 30 minutes. When the dough has doubled, carefully transfer the hot pot to a heatproof surface. Uncover the dough, lift up the parchment and quickly invert the dough into the pot (shake the pot to center the dough, if necessary). Cover with the lid and bake 30 minutes, then uncover and bake until brown and crusty, 15 to 30 more minutes. Turn out onto a rack to cool.

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and sugar. Add the yeast mixture and remaining water; stir until combined. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Stir dough down. Divide in half. Place each half in a greased 1-qt. round casserole or ovenproof bowl. Brush tops with butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Remove from pans; serve warm if desired.

THE ULTIMATE CRAB CAKES, REMOULADE, & TOASTED PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• MAKE REMOULDAE FIRST:.
• Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
• CRAB CAKES:.
• Put potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water.
• Add salt and bring to a boil, uncovered.
• Simmer for 20 minutes until there is no resistance when a fork is inserted.
• Drain the potatoes and make sure they are dry.
• Mash them in a large bowl until there are no lumps.
• While the potatoes are cooking, heat the milk, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns, and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat.
• Do not let boil.
• Using a sieve, strain the milk and herbs into the potatoes and mix thoroughly.
• Add the chopped chives and season with salt & a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
• Check crabmeat for pieces of shell.
• Cover with plastic wrap and leave in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Remove and carefully fold into the potatoes.
• Using your hands shape the mixture into medium sized patties, taking care to flatten out the centers and smooth out the top.
• Roll them in bread crumbs and shake off excess.
• Coat a large non-stick skillet with 1/4" of oil over a medium heat until it begins to smoke slightly.
• Pan-fry the crab cakes until brown, about 5 minutes on each side, turning carefully with a spatula.
• Remove from pan and serve on a large flat dish with Remoulade.
• Garnish with slices of lemon, & serve with a mixed green salad, & freshly prepared toasted peasant bread(recipe to follow).
• TOASTED PEASANT BREAD:.
• Preheat the oven to 500ºF.
• Put a sheet pan in the oven so that it gets good and hot.
• Place the bread slices on the hot sheet pan.
• Drizzle the bread with extra-virgin olive oil bake for 5 minutes, until the bread is nicely toasted.
• Rub the bread slices with the garlic cloves, and discard garlic.
• Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan and parsley and serve.

HERBED PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook onion in butter over low heat until tender. Cool for 10 minutes. , Transfer to a large bowl. Add milk, sugar, salt, herbs, yeast and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured board; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes., Punch the dough down. Shape into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes., Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes. Remove to a wire rack; brush with melted butter. Cool.

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Place the yeast and cumin in a large bowl. Stir in 1/3 cup of the water until the yeast is dissolved. Stir in the remaining 1 1/3 cups water. Stir in 2 cups of the flour and the salt. Gradually stir in the remaining flour.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. Place the dough in a large, clean, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
• Punch down the dough, knead for 5 minutes and divide in half. Sprinkle a large baking sheet lightly with cornmeal. Shape the dough into 2 round balls, flatten them slightly and place on the baking sheet.
• Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bake until the loaves are nicely browned and make a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom, about 40 minutes. Place on a rack to cool.

FRENCH PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast, sugar and salt in water.
• Add flour and stir with a wooden spoon until blended. Do not knead -- it will be lumpy.
• Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hours
• Oil a cookie sheet with olive oil.
• Oil hands and remove dough from bowl and divide into 2 rounds and place on cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle dough with cornmeal(optional).
• Let rise 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees and brush dough with melted butter.
• Bake for 10 min then reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake an additional 15 minutes.
• When finished baking, brush again with melted butter.