by AntoniaJames
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3 tablespoons warm water (no warmer than 112 degrees Fahrenheit) Ask a question about this ingredient
2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast Ask a question about this ingredient
2 tablespoons honey + several drops for proofing the yeast Ask a question about this ingredient
2 tablespoons fruity olive oil, plus a bit more for brushing the loaf before baking Ask a question about this ingredient
1 teaspoon salt Ask a question about this ingredient
¾ cup toasted wheat germ (not the sweetened kind, please) Ask a question about this ingredient
½ cup pecorino romano, finely grated Ask a question about this ingredient
¾ cup coarsely chopped walnut pieces (Or 1/2 cup pine nuts, if you prefer.) Ask a question about this ingredient
2 cups loosely packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped to make about 1 cup (See note below.) Ask a question about this ingredient
3 cups bread flour plus more, if necessary, for kneading Ask a question about this ingredient
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, for toasting the nuts.
Ask a question about this stepProof the yeast in the warm water and a few small drops of honey (or a pinch of sugar) for at least five minutes.
Ask a question about this stepIn a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of cold water, the olive oil, honey, salt, wheat germ, cheese and one cup of flour. Stir well, beating all in one direction.
Ask a question about this stepAdd a second cup of flour and the proofed yeast mixture and stir to combine.
Ask a question about this stepAdd more flour, a few tablespoons at a time, until it becomes too difficult to stir.
Ask a question about this stepDump the contents of the bowl on the counter, scraping all of the flour and other bits of dough from the bowl and add whatever flour is left of the remaining cup. Knead for a minute or two, just to bring it all together, then let the dough rest for about ten minutes.
Ask a question about this stepToast the walnut pieces on a baking pan on the top shelf of the hot oven for about three or four minutes, but watch carefully, lest they burn. Remove them from the pan immediately to allow them to cool. Turn off your oven.
Ask a question about this stepWash and dry your mixing bowl, and drizzle a half teaspoon or so of oil in it.
Ask a question about this stepKnead the dough for about three or four minutes, adding additional flour as necessary, a few teaspoons at a time, to keep the dough from sticking hard to your hands, i.e., leaving bits of dough on your hand when you remove it. I put a few tablespoons of flour off to the side and pull in a teaspoon or two at a time with my bench scraper.
Ask a question about this stepLet the dough rest for about five minutes.
Ask a question about this stepContinue to knead the dough, adding the walnut pieces in thirds. Then knead in the chopped basil leaves, adding a few tablespoons at a time. Let the dough rest for two or three minutes, then knead it for a few more minutes, or until the dough is supple and elastic, and shape it into a ball.
Ask a question about this stepPut the dough into the oiled bowl, turn it over to coat, loosely cover the bowl, and let the dough rise for about an hour.
Ask a question about this stepAfter the first rise, gently punch it down, shape it into a loaf (and put it into an oiled pan, if you plan to bake it in one) or a boule, or baguettes, brush it well with olive oil, and let rise for another hour. At the end of the second rise, cut a few slashes with a sharp serrated knife or a grignette, and very lightly brush with olive oil once more.
Ask a question about this stepPreheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (adjusted, as necessary, if you are using a convection oven and the manufacturer recommends a lower temperature).
Ask a question about this stepIf using a loaf pan or a pizza stone, bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Cover loosely with foil after about 25 or 30 minutes if any exposed nuts are getting too brown. If you've shaped the dough into baguettes, bake for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the diameter of the baguettes. (This bread makes great crostini!)
Ask a question about this stepAllow it to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting.
Ask a question about this stepEnjoy!!
Ask a question about this stepNote: To chop the basil, I roll together 6 or 8 at a time, as if cutting a chiffonade, but cut the roll once lengthwise, then crosswise into 1/8 inch wide strips.
Ask a question about this stepAJ, I am also in awe of your bread baking skills...and considering I could live on bread and cheese alone (okay, wine and some green veggies too) your recipes inspire me to try my hand at bread making. This is a beautiful loaf!
Wow, that's quite a compliment. I'm glad you're inspired to try breadmaking. I hope you do! It's really not that difficult. Like anything worth doing, you have to do it a few times, prepared to make a few mistakes without getting discouraged. Good luck!!
I am such a bread person...and I love the fact that you make bread every day. Each time you post a new recipe I think that I should try making bread myself. But, it seems like such a mountain to me!!.....do you deliver?
Yes, you really should try it, especially because you're so creative. I have about five or six basic variable ingredients that I play with in creating new combinations, so every day's bread is different from that of the day before. All taste great! It's just not that hard once you realize that (1) no recipe for bread -- at least the kind I make -- can be exact, given the differences in ingredients and environment from kitchen to kitchen, and (b) your success will come from learning to judge what the dough needs, before it goes into the oven, and in learning from your mistakes. So go for it!! ;o)
Now this sounds great and it would go with anything. I just love bread.
Thanks! The loaf I made a earlier this week disappeared almost instantly, and the fans have been clamoring for more. The boys (including Mr. T) just stood there in the kitchen eating slice after slice, plain. One of them hoarded a few slices for a sandwich. He toasts everything (even freshly made bread) for sandwiches, and when he toasted this, the smell in the house was out of this world. I hope you try this! ;o)
This looks fabulous - can we all come to your house for a bread workshop?
Thanks for your kind words . . . . you can come to my house, any time! Any breadbaking workshop would have to be a sleepover (now that would be fun, wouldn't it?!!), because I couldn't let you all go without showing you how I make sticky buns for breakfast. Hmmm. Maybe I should post that recipe. ;o)
Yes you should! Although it's probably better I don't know how to make sticky buns, I already have lumpy ones! Ha ha!!! Allright we Austinites need a road trip to the left coast!!!
This looks beautiful. I'm a little scared of bread baking, but think I'll give this a try as soon as the weather shows some mercy. Also, thanks for your suggestions with my basil panna cotta - it was a success. I've updated the recipe with changes and pictures.
Thank you, but please, don't be scared of breadmaking. It's not that hard really, and dough (at least the kind I make) is actually very forgiving. You just need to be able to identify problems with the dough before it's baked. And even I on occasion make a brick . . . . which is usually just re-purposed, by turning it into croutons, bread crumbs or savory bread pudding. So do, please, try it. Make bread as often as you can, and soon, it will become second nature. ;o)
Thanks for the encouragement. Soon. As soon as the weather lets up : )
It was 102 here today so I won't turn the oven on, but when it gets more temperate, I'm definitely trying this!
Yes, I can see how one wouldn't care much for bread baking in 102 weather. When I finished my hike/run in the Redwood Forest near my home the other day after work, it was 55 degrees, with a foggy wind blowing. All the produce is about a month late, or so the farmers' market people tell me. Stay cool! ;o)
Was just in the Bay area and am very envious of your lovely weather. Much too hot here in DC. I'm on board with some of the others...I think this is the recipe that will get to try bread baking once it cools off a little!
YUM...excellent, your recipe is similar to a rosemary french bread recipe I have. Will be making your this as soon as my shoulder heals (fractured it).
Oooh, rosemary French bread. That sounds so good. Sorry about the fractured shoulder. Must be cramping your style significantly! I cannot imagine. Get better soon! ;o)
Yes, it actually is very much like a pesto loaf, but the flavors retain their integrity, and the bread isn't quite as green . . . Also, the wheat germ adds a nutty background flavor. I've been a lot more aggressive in my use of wheat germ in my breads lately. It's amazing how, in sufficient quantities just to be noticeable, it can transform a simple loaf of bread. ;o)
ok--well i am making some Amish cinnamon bread this week. Is wheat germ something that I could add to that? Do you think it would work in a sweet application?
Yes, by all means! It would be heavenly. I'd substitute 3/4 cup of toasted wheat germ for 1/2 cup of the flour. You might need a bit less flour, depending on the moisture level of the flour, the wheat germ and your environment. Good luck!! ;o)
This almost sounds like a pesto loaf? It tastes savory, correct? I bet it's great with pasta
Marion is the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at NYU and the author of several books on food policy, including Safe Food and What To Eat.
Thanks AJ, you're my bread making guru! I made this today and it's fan-freaking-tastic. I truly appreciate it!! : )