Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentines Day: I'm Nuts About You!

This creation was born while distracting myself from grading exams. (My coworkers probably wish that I had to grade exams more often!) The walnut oil made for a very moist, nutty flavored wheat bread. The braided dough (along with the icing drizzle) earned high marks for presentation.


Walnut Bread

1/4 c. walnut oil
1 1/4 c. water
1 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 tsp. yeast
2 c. whole wheat flour
2 1/4 c. white bread flour

1 Tbsp. milk
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts


Mix the walnut oil, water, sugar, salt, yeast, and whole wheat flour together.  Let sit for 10 minutes.  Add the white flour 1/2 cup at a time until the the dough pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. Let rise for 1 hour, covered. Split the dough into three evenly sized balls; roll each into a rope.  Braid the ropes together on a greased baking sheet. Let rise for one hour, covered. Bake at 375 ºF for 30 minutes.  Cool completely. Mix powdered sugar with a small amount of milk to make a glaze; drizzle over the loaf.  Sprinkle the walnuts on top.

1 comment:

  1. Yum. Do you accept recipe requests? If so, here goes.
    I am looking for a recipe that:

    * Uses no white flour
    * Is vegan
    * Uses no sugar (or other sugary substances, e.g. maple syrup)
    * Is capable of being made successfully by someone who has never baked bread and is generally inept in culinary matters (Um, you know, it's a friend of mine ...)

    Does such a recipe exist? I have faith in Flour Girl to make the seemingly impossible possible.

    And then, if you manage this, can you please find me a huge apartment in my favorite neighborhood in NYC that I can afford?

    Thanks ever so much.

    - Jill

    ReplyDelete