Butter-Bread | Made by Meaghan Moineau
Title: The Nostalgic Aroma of Butter-Bread: A Journey Back to Family GatheringsDescription: Dive into the heartwarming world of homemade Butter-Bread, a delightful recipe that bridges generations with its rich, buttery aroma and crusty exterior. This blog post not only walks you through creating this culinary masterpiece but also shares a cherished family memory that makes this bread truly special. With an easy-to-follow guide and heartfelt storytelling, discover why this bread is more than just a dish—it's a slice of family history.
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Butter-Bread: A Taste of Home and Heritage
Few things evoke the warmth of family like the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the house. Butter-Bread, with its rich, golden crust and soft, buttery interior, is not just a recipe—it's a tradition, a connection to family gatherings from my childhood.
Ingredients:
- 500g white strong bread flour
- 100g butter, softened
- 15g fresh yeast
- 1 tablespoon liquid malt extract
- 10g salt
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 300ml water
- Additional 100ml water for mixing
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Starter Dough:
- The night before, mix 100g flour, 100ml water, and 5g yeast. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. Bring Ingredients to Room Temperature:
- Remove the butter and starter dough from the fridge one hour before beginning.
3. Mix the Dough:
- Dissolve the remaining yeast with the malt extract and 200ml water until smooth.
- Add in the remaining flour, salt, softened butter, and sunflower oil. Mix well.
- Incorporate the starter dough into the mixture and knead for 10 minutes using a food processor with a dough hook (5 minutes slow, then 5 minutes fast).
4. First Rise:
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface, dust generously with flour, cover, and let it rise for 30 minutes.
- Every 10 minutes, punch down the dough, stretch, fold, and turn it over.
5. Shape and Second Rise:
- Grease a loaf tin. Shape the dough into a loaf, place it in the tin, and cover. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, score a 2 cm line down the center.
6. Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 230°C. Place the bread on the middle shelf, spraying water to create steam.
- Bake for 45 minutes. After 15 minutes, spray again and reduce the temperature to 200°C.
- The bread is ready when a skewer comes out clean. Let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
A Family Memory
As I knead the dough, memories of my grandmother's kitchen flood back. Every Sunday, her small, sunlit kitchen became the heart of our family gatherings. I remember the anticipation as we watched her skillfully work the dough for Butter-Bread, her hands moving with practiced ease. The smell of baking bread would fill the house, mingling with laughter and stories exchanged around the table.
My grandmother would always save the first slice for me, slathered with homemade butter. That first bite was a revelation—a simple pleasure that lingered long after the meal had ended. Today, as I bake Butter-Bread for my own family, I feel her presence with each fold and stretch of the dough, each rise and bake, connecting past and present in a single loaf.
Difficulty: 6/10
This recipe, rated at a moderate difficulty level, requires some patience and practice, especially with its sticky dough. However, the steps are straightforward, and the result is well worth the effort.
Classification: Main Dish
Butter-Bread, with its rich, satisfying flavor, pairs beautifully with soups and stews, making it a perfect main dish accompaniment for any meal.
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Embrace the tradition and warmth of Butter-Bread in your own kitchen. This recipe is more than just a bread—it's a testament to cherished family moments and the timeless joy of homemade comforts.