Bacon Caraway Crusty Bread Recipes

CARAMELIZED ONION AND BACON PULL-APART BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium-high heat and add the bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is golden brown, about 9 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate using a slotted spoon. Add the onions to the skillet and cook, covered, stirring occasionally and scraping up the stuck bits on the bottom of the pan as needed, until the onions release their juices and are caramelized, golden and soft, about 30 minutes. (If the onions begin to brown before they soften, stir in a tablespoon water, lower the heat and return to cooking.)
• Combine the butter, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in the onions until the butter melts and becomes saucy.
• Meanwhile, with a large serrated knife, shave 1/4 inch off the bottom crust of the bread.. Make 1-inch wide crosshatch cuts on the top of the bread, three-quarters of the way through to the bottom. Put the bread on the prepared baking sheet.
• Spoon 3/4 of the onion mixture into all of the slits. Mix together the Gouda and mozzarella in a small bowl, then stuff three-quarters of the cheese inside all of the slits. Spoon the remaining onion mixture on top, followed by the remaining cheese. (The bread will be very stuffed and messy.) Cover the bread loosely with foil and bake until the filling is warm and the cheese is melted, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a platter or cutting board and top with the bacon and parsley. Serve immediately.

CRUSTY HOMEMADE BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Using a rubber spatula, stir in 3-1/2 cups flour and salt to form a soft, sticky dough. Do not knead. Cover and let rise at room temperature 1 hour., Stir down dough (dough will be sticky). Turn onto a floured surface; with floured hands pat into a 9-in. square. Fold square into thirds, forming a 9x3-in. rectangle. Fold rectangle into thirds, forming a 3-in. square. Place in a large greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise at room temperature until almost doubled, about 1 hour., Punch down dough and repeat folding process. Return dough to bowl; refrigerate, covered, overnight., Grease the bottom of a disposable foil roasting pan with sides at least 4 in. high; dust pan with cornmeal. Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead gently 6-8 times; shape into a 6-in. round loaf. Place into prepared pan; dust top with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Cover pan and let rise at room temperature until dough expands to a 7-1/2-in. loaf, about 1-1/4 hours. , Preheat oven to 500°. Using a sharp knife, make a slash (1/4 in. deep) across top of loaf. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake on lowest oven rack 25 minutes., Reduce oven setting to 450°. Remove foil; bake bread until deep golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Remove loaf to a wire rack to cool.

CARAWAY BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine caraway seeds, salt, honey, yeast mixture, whole wheat flour and 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough (dough will be sticky)., Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Grease a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; sprinkle with cornmeal. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a round loaf; place on prepared pan. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°., Using a sharp knife, cut a large "X" in top of loaf. Bake on a lower oven rack 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

BACON & CARAWAY CRUSTY BREAD

Steps:

• PLEASE NOTE: The ingredients used in this recipe are WHAT I CHOSE TO USED to create this bread, it is DIFFERENT from the ORIGINAL recipe. In lieu of a blender or mixer, I used my hands, like my mama always made her biscuits. But use what you like. If you are NOT USING WHITE LILY FLOUR OMIT THE ADDITIONAL 1/2 CUP OF FLOUR.
• PREHEAT OVEN TO 450 DEGREES F. In a large mixing bowl add the flour, baking soda, sugar and caraway seeds. Make a well in the center of the flour.
• Add the softened butter, buttermilk, egg, & bacon bits. Then blend with hand or mixer until dough comes together. Shaping into a ball as you go. I show the whole stick but I used 6 Tablespoons.
• Spray a large baking pan or skillet with non stick spray & set aside till needed. I kneaded the bread dough IN THE PAN & shaped it into a large ball, YOU CAN ADD FLOUR TO THE COUNTER & DO THE SAME THING, then placed it on the prepared baking sheet.
• Make a deep cross or plus sign in the bread, beginning from one side and going to the other,[THIS ALLOWS THE STEAM TO ESCAPE AS IT BAKES] then spray top with non stick cooking spray, I used Butter flavored cooking spray.
• Place in preheated 450 degrees F. oven and bake for 15 minutes, then REDUCE TEMPERATURE TO 400 DEGREES F. and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, or until bread sounds hallow when tapped on the bottom. Remove from oven.
• Slice as desired. I chose to use an ELECTRIC KNIFE FOR EASIER SLICING. ADD BUTTER IF DESIRED & ENJOY.