Apple Hearth Breadbreads 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups unsifted all-purpose 1 flour 1 pkg rapid-rising dry yeast 1/2 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup very warm water (120 degrees to 130 degrees f) 1/2 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon butter 1 large golden delicious or other 1 sweet firm apple, peeled, cored, 1 and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices 1/4 teaspoon coarse (kosher) salt 1 (optional) Sweet apples and salty bread provide an intriguing contrast in taste. To ensure that the hearth bread remains light and crisp, keep the dough soft: Don't work in too much flour and knead it gently. Makes 1 loaf (6 servings) 1. In large bowl of heavy-duty electric mixer, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, the yeast, and salt. Slowly beat in water, 1/4 cup olive oil, and the honey; vigorously beat mixture 10 minutes. Cover bowl with clean cloth and let dough rise in warm place, away from drafts, 40 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter. Add apple slices and saute' until very lightly browned; set aside. 3. After dough has risen 40 minutes, turn out onto floured surface. Gently knead in as much of remaining 1/4 cup flour as necessary to form a very soft dough - about 1 minute. Gently work apple slices into the dough. 4. Lightly oil large baking sheet. With floured fingers, shape dough into a 9 inch round on oiled sheet. Cover with clean cloth and let rise in warm place, away from drafts, until double in size - about 30 minutes. 5. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. With pastry brush, coat top of dough round with 2 tablespoons olive oil; sprinkle with coarse salt, if desired. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until hearth bread is browned. 6. Drizzle hearth bread with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and serve warm. Nutritional information per serving - protein: 4 grams; fat: 20 grams; carbohydrate: 34 grams; fiber: 2 grams; sodium: 195 milligrams; cholesterol: 5 milligrams; calories: 335. From: Country Living, September, 1992. |
