Tag: bread

Banana Bread with Walnuts and Raisins

Banana Bread with Walnuts and Raisins

by Shailaja Nair ♥ 1 Comment

When I was working on the newspaper desk in Singapore, we would start work at the unearthly hour of 4.30 am and the one thing that kept us going was that we would take turns to bring in warm bread for an early breakfast. One of my colleagues used to make this really divine banana bread. My banana bread recipe is based on hers though I have tweaked it to add nuts and raisins and also sour cream to make it more moist. This has been a hit with my family for more than 20 years. In fact, my sister-in-law said this should be my retirement plan: to make and sell banana bread.

I make this in the bread maker and so it is super easy. I set it for baking overnight and it is ready for breakfast the next morning.

Ingredients

Vegetable oil 1/3 cup
Sour cream 1/4 cup
Eggs 2, beaten
All-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups
Brown sugar 2/3 cup
Baking powder 1 tsp
Baking soda 1/2 tsp
Salt 1/2 tsp
Vanilla essence 1 tsp
Bananas 2, mashed
Walnuts 1/2 cup
Raisins 1/4 cup

Method

Add everything to the bread-maker pan in the order given above. Set it to Sweet or Cake setting depending on your machine.

When done take it out and let it cool. Slice and serve.



Brazilian Corn Bread

Brazilian Corn Bread

by Shailaja Nair ♥ 2 Comments

I love corn bread and this one has a rustic flavour with a hint of sweetness from the corn. It goes well with stew, cold cuts, chilli cooked in a slow cooker, or beans.

Ingredients

Corn meal or makki ka atta 1 1/2 cup
All-purpose flour 3 cups
Yeast 3 tsps
Milk 1/2 litre
Butter 30 g
Rice flour 2 tbsps
Sugar 2 tbsps + 1 tsp
Salt 1 tsp
Olive oil 2 tbsps

Method

Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water and 1 teaspoon of sugar.

Heat the milk and add the butter to it. As the milk begins to bubble, reduce the heat and whisk in the cornmeal. Let it cool to room temperature.

Mix the flour, sugar and salt. Add the yeast mixture and the cornmeal mixture. Make a dough.

Transfer the dough to a bowl greased with olive oil and cover with cling film. Leave it to rise for two hours.

Divide the dough into two boules. Dust with rice flour and criss-cross the top with a knife. Spritz with water.

Pour boiling water into a tray and place in the oven. Bake the bread in the middle rack for 35-40 minutes.

Slice when cool.

Puri (Fried wheat bread)

Puri (Fried wheat bread)

by Shailaja Nair ♥ 2 Comments

Among the large number of breads that form part of Indian cuisine a favourite is this fried bread that is easy to make and delicious with any curry or dal. It is a versatile bread as it can be made plain or stuffed with a variety of vegetables and even lentils. Here I am offering the recipe to make plain puris.

Ingredients

(Serves 5)

Wheat flour (atta) 3 cups
Salt to taste
Water as needed
Oil for frying

Method

Mix the wheat flour and salt in a wide bowl. Make a dough using a little water at a time. Work the dough till it comes together and then knead for another five minutes using the heel of your palm to work the dough. Let it rest for 10 minutes.

Make 20 small balls from the dough. Roll them out to small discs and fry in hot oil.

Serve hot with curry or dal.

Cheese bread

Cheese bread

by Shailaja Nair ♥ 1 Comment

This bread is easy to make. I make this in the bread maker, which means it is super easy. I usually put in everything after breakfast, wait for the proving to be over, add the cheese topping, and the bread is ready for lunch.

Full of cheesy flavour

Ingredients

(Serves 4 persons)

Milk 1 1/8 cups
Bread flour 3 cups
Butter, salted 4 tbsps
Mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup, grated
Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup grated
Brown sugar 1 tbsp
Oregano, dried 2 tbsps
Salt 1 tsp
Yeast 2 tbsps
Cheddar cheese for topping 1/4 cup

Method

Heat the milk in the microwave for 30 seconds. It should be lukewarm.

Pour it into the bread-maker pan and add everything else in the order given above, except for the cheese for the topping.

After the final kneading cycle and before the baking starts, add the cheese topping.

Let the bread cool before slicing it. Enjoy with clotted cream mixed with dill and bacon bits.

Banana, zucchini, walnut bread

Banana, zucchini, walnut bread

by Shailaja Nair ♥ 2 Comments

I had asked my vegetable vendor to bring me zucchini, but by the time he brought it, I forgot what I had wanted to make in the first place. I had some overripe bananas, so I decided to try adding zucchini to my usual banana bread. It turned out delicious.

A healthy breakfast option

Ingredients

(Serves 4-5 persons)

All purpose flour 1 1/2 cups
Bananas 2, mashed
Zucchini 1 cup, grated
Sugar 3/4 cup
Baking powder 1 tsp
Baking soda 1/2 tsp
Eggs 2, beaten
Walnuts 1/2 cup, roughly crushed
Vegetable oil 1/2 cup

Method

Preheat the oven at 350 degree F or 180 degree C.

In a bowl mix the dry ingredients — flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar. In another bowl mix well the eggs, bananas and oil. Add to the dry ingredients and add the zucchini too. Mix using a folding motion. Do not over-mix. Add the walnuts.

Grease a loaf pan and pour in the batter. Tap it on the counter to get rid of any air bubbles. Bake for 60 minutes. Check after 50 minutes using a toothpick in the centre of the loaf. If the toothpick comes out clean, take out the pan. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then let it cool on a rack. Slice it only after it is completely cool.

Gooey and moist inside, crisp outside
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