Sunday, April 7, 2013

ABC: Cheese-stuffed Crusty Loaves










Cheesy-stuffed Crusty Loaves

King Arthur Flour


Starter

Dough

  • all of the starter
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons to 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water*
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Pizza Dough Flavor (optional)
  • 3 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
  • *Use the greater amount of water in winter, when conditions are dry; and the lesser amount in summer, when the weather is humid.

Filling

  • 2 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese, or the grated/shredded cheese of your choice (sharp cheddar, or a mixture of provolone and mozzarella are tasty)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic oil (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Pizza Seasoning (optional)

Directions

1) To make the starter: Mix the 1 1/4 cups flour, salt, yeast, and 1/2 cup water in a medium-sized bowl. Mix till well combined; the starter will be very dry. Cover and let rest overnight at room temperature; it'll become bubbly.
2) To make the dough: Combine the risen starter with the water, salt, flour, and yeast. Knead—by hand, mixer, or bread machine set on the dough cycle—to make a smooth dough.
3) Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, till it's nearly doubled in bulk.
4) Gently deflate the dough, and pat and stretch it into a 3/4"-thick rectangle, about 9" x 12". Spritz with water, and sprinkle with the grated cheese.
5) Starting with a long side, roll it into a log, pinching the seam to seal. Place the log, seam-side down, on a lightly floured or lightly oiled surface.
6) Cover it and let it rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, till it's puffy though not doubled in bulk. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F.
7) Gently cut the log into four crosswise slices, for mini-breads; or simply cut the dough in half, for two normal-sized loaves. Place them on one (for two loaves) or two (for four mini-loaves) lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheets, cut side up. Spread them open a bit, if necessary, to more fully expose the cheese. Spritz with warm water, and immediately place them in the preheated oven.
8) Bake for 20 minutes (for the mini-loaves), or 35 minutes (for the full-sized loaves), or until the cheese is melted and the loaves are a very deep golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and cool on a rack.

( I made rolls by making 2 logs and cutting them into 7 pieces each.  They were great warm but not so great when they cooled.  I think I may have baked them too long)


We are making English Muffins next month!  Should be interesting!
Enjoy!

4 comments:

  1. Great idea on making smaller loaves/rolls. Yours turned out great!

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  2. OMG, Chelly! I want one of these right now! Just perfect!

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  3. Looking good, just heat them a little when you eat them, warm is best with cheesy things I think.

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  4. Hi Chelly,
    Your bread turns out great! Great idea with the mini rolls. Makes serving easier!
    I've made the muffins, they are really good!

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