by Rod
(Texas)
On this Pacific island, the Upcountry with its rich volcanic soil and bountiful sun is home to many organic gardens. This home-style Upcountry Carrot Bread recipe makes good use of this popular root vegetable, caressing it with a touch of cinnamon, gentle sweetness and orange essence.
This is a moist yeast bread that can served with complementary toppings and be eaten with a fork (like French toast).
Upcountry Carrot Bread
Ingredients: (more listed in Proof)
- 3 cups Spelt flour
- 1 2/3 cups bread flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup bread flour for kneading and to coat bread pan
Proof: (20 min.)
- 1 2/3 cups lowfat milk, warmed
- 2 1/2 tsp yeast
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1/3 cup light oat bran
- 2 tbsp virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp organic orange oil (optional)
- 1 cup finely shredded carrots
Directions:
In a medium bowl, create a Proof by combining warm milk, yeast and honey. Stir, then add oat bran and stir well to complete. Cover and allow to set 20 min. in a warm place.
In a large bowl, combine Spelt flour, bread flour, cinnamon and salt. Cover and set aside.
When Proof has set 20 min., add olive oil, stir well, then add orange oil and shredded carrots; stir well to combine. Pour into bread mixture; stir, then knead 5 min. with a large wooden spoon. Cover and allow to rise 30 min. in a warm place.
Lightly oil a large bread pan, then sprinkle it with flour for use during the final rise. Tap pan to remove excess flour.
After the first rise, sprinkle flour onto a flat surface, remove dough from bowl and knead 5-10 min., adding sprinkles of flour to keep dough from sticking to hands and surface.
Form dough into a flat roll with more height than width and place in bread pan. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and allow to rise 1 hour in a warm place.
15 min. before baking, turn on oven to 350 degrees. Remove cover from dough and bake 40-45 min. Serve while warm, then slice, cover and refrigerate any remaining bread.
Notes:
1) For a special treat, try Upcountry Orange Toast: Spread a thin coating of organic orange oil in the middle of a serving plate, lightly toast a thick slice of Carrot Bread and place it on the plate. Top with butter and maple syrup or preferred topping.
2) For grand presentation, top with whipped cream, lightly sprinkled cinnamon, some shredded carrot and a few mandarin orange segments.
3) To retain moistness and enhance flavors, skip the toasting and wrap the slice of Carrot Bread in a paper towel then microwave 10-20 secs.
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