Recipe
Three Tiered Braided Christmas Bread
Each of the tiers is flavored with a different mixture-tapenade, pesto, or sun-dried tomato paste. Prepare these in advance so they will be ready for each batch of dough. If you purchase sundried tomatoes packed in oil, drain the tomates well and press out the excess oil before using. You don't have to soften them in the water. If you don't wish to braid the bread, bake each loaf separately, 25 to 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- SUN-DRIED TOMATO PASTE:
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup whole sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- PESTO:
- 1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- TAPENADE:
- 20 Kalamata olives (about 3/4 cup), pitted
- 1 anchovy fillet
- 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- DOUGH: (YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE THREE BATCHES OF THIS DOUGH)
- 1 envelope ( 1/4-ounce) dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 3 1/2 cups bleached all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
Directions
- TO MAKE THE PASTE: Combine the water and tomatoes in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain well.
- Transfer to a food processor or blender, add the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, and process. Puree until the mixture is smooth, about 15 seconds. Set aside.
- TO MAKE THE PESTO: Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until the mixture is smooth, about 15 seconds. Set aside.
- TO MAKE THE TAPENADE: Combine all its ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until the mixture is smooth, about 15 seconds. Set aside.
- TO MAKE THE DOUGH: Combine the yeast, sugar, and water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Beat on low speed for 1 minute. Add the sun-dried tomato paste (or pesto or tapenade), salt, and flour. Beat at low speed until all of the flour is incorporated, about 1 minute. Then beat at medium speed until the mixture forms a ball, leaves the sides of the bowl, and climbs up the dough hook. Remove the dough from the bowl. Using your hands, form the dough into a smooth ball. Lightly oil a bowl.
- Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to oil all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in size, about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- TO ASSEMBLE: Remove the dough from the bowl and invert it onto a lightly floured surface. Pat the dough into a rectangle about 3/4-inch thick. Roll up the dough, beginning with the short side and stopping after each full turn to press the edge of the roll firmly into the flat sheet of dough to seal. Press with your fingertips. Tuck and roll so that any seams disappear into the dough. Join the ends of each bread loaf and pinch all three together. Begin braiding, lapping each loaf one at a time over the other, then pinch the remaining ends together. Tuck the pinched ends underneath the braided bread. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Place the bread on the baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in size, about 1 hour. With a pastry brush, brush the beaten egg evenly over the bread. Combine the kosher salt and pepper and sprinkle over the top of the bread. Bake until lightly brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack.
Recipe Details
- Source: Emeril Live EM1B74
- Dish Type: Baked Goods
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