While we appreciate whatever's cooking at the local bakery, breaking bread prepared from scratch can be equally gratifying — especially if you own a kneading machine. It's no secret that bread takes time, and if you're able to slow down over the next few weeks, why not give it a try? You need water, flour, yeast, and a pinch of salt as well as a place where the temperature ranges from 75-86°F for the dough to rise. Scroll down for some ideas.
Bread with fresh herbs or seeds for appetizers
Adding a few sprigs of rosemary to the dough adds a flavor that complements cheese and cold cuts. Otherwise, sunflower or sesame seeds, which are rich in vitamins and mineral salts, work well, and they also enhance the flavor of meat or fish dishes. Seeded bread is excellent when toasted and topped with creams, jams, and sauces.
Walnut bread for cheese boards
Chop the walnuts and add them to the sunflower seeds before pouring them into the dough. Their delicately sweet taste makes the bread even more alluring, and since walnuts and cheese are a match made in heaven, try the bread with gorgonzola, mixed charcuterie boards, and mascarpone.
Bisciola from Valtellina for dessert
This sweet bread from Valtellina, an area of Northern Lombardy that borders Switzerland, has been nicknamed panettone valtellinese. The recipe calls for rye flour, raisins, dried figs, walnuts, chestnuts, and pine nuts, resulting in a rich sweet treat.
More sweet bread: Panpepato
Panpepato, named after the Pope for whom it was first prepared, never fails to satisfy as a dessert or snack. The dome-shaped confection contains flour, almonds, honey, cocoa powder, candied fruit, cinnamon, chopped clove, and dark chocolate – all kneaded together and combined with water or milk. Once the mixture firms, it’s shaped and baked.