Cracked Pepper Bread Recipes

CRACKED BLACK PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the milk, butter, sugar, and pepper. Place over medium-high heat and bring to about 110 degrees F. Remove from the heat and sprinkle the yeast over the surface of the milk. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
• Pour the milk and yeast mixture into the bowl of flour and mix until a soft, ragged mixture is formed. Transfer the mixture to a well-floured work surface and knead until a soft elastic dough is formed, about 10 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and place in a warm spot, until puffed and doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Transfer the dough to the work surface and, using your hands, gently flatten it into a 10-inch-long oval shape. Fold the dough into thirds lengthwise, overlapping the sides in the center. Press down on the overlapping sides to seal and make a seam. Place it seam side-down in a buttered 9 by 5-inch loaf pan, cover with a kitchen towel, and return to the warmest part of the kitchen until the dough has risen about 1 1/2 inches over the top of the pan, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Brush the top of the dough lightly with warm water and, using a sharp knife, make 1/4-inch-deep slit down the center. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the loaf from the pan and place in the center of the rack. Continue baking until the loaf sounds hollow when rapt lightly with your knuckles on the bottom and top, and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 200 degrees F., about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the bread loaf to a cooling rack and let cool for 2 hours before using.

BON APPETIT'S ITALIAN PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Oil large bowl and set aside. Warm salt pork in large skillet over low heat until some fat is rendered. Increase heat to medium-high and saute until crisp. Drain pork on paper towels. Reserve 1/4 cup fat from skillet.
• Combine 1 1/2 cups warm water, reserved pork fat, salt and pepper in large bowl. Dissolve yeast in remaining 3/4 cup warm water. Let stand until foamy and proofed, about 10 minutes.
• Add to pepper mixture. Add salt pork and 3 cups flour, stirring vigorously until mixture forms smooth batter.
• Blend in remaining flour 1 cup at a time to form stiff dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Transfer to prepared bowl, turning to coat entire surface. Cover and let stand in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Punch dough down. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and cut in half. Divide each half into thirds. Roll each piece into 12-inch-long rope. Place 3 ropes on ungreased baking sheet and braid together, pinching ends to seal.
• Repeat with remaining dough. Cover lightly and let stand in warm, draft-free area until doubled, 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375*F. Brush loaves with beaten egg. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake until crust is golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped, 40-45 minutes. Cool on racks.
• Italian Pepper Bread can be prepared ahead, wrapped tightly in foil and frozen.

CRACKED BLACK PEPPER BREAD (BREAD MACHINE)

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in bread machine pan in order suggested by manufacturer.
• Select basic bread setting.
• Do not use time delay feature of your bread machine for this recipe.

CHEDDAR & CRACKED PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Mix 1 cup flour, the yeast (dry) and salt.
• Heat margarine, water and milk until very warm (125 to 130ºF).
• Add to flour mixture; beat on low speed until moistened, scraping bowl constantly.
• Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour.
• Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Stir in cheese, pepper and remaining flour until smooth.
• Scrape batter from side of bowl.
• Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
• Generously grease 2-quart casserole or loaf pan, 9 × 5 × 3 inches.
• Stir down batter by beating about 25 strokes.
• Spread evenly in casserole.
• Cover; let rise 30 to 45 minutes or until double.
• Heat oven to 375º.
• Place loaf on low rack so that top of casserole is in center of oven.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until loaf is brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
• Immediately remove from casserole to wire rack.
• Brush top of loaf with margarine.
• Serve warm or cool; cut into wedges with serrated knife.
• Variations.
• Garlic Casserole Bread: Omit Cheddar cheese and pepper.
• Stir in 1 clove garlic, crushed or finely chopped, with final addition of flour.
• Sprinkle top of loaf with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese before baking.
• Herbed Casserole Bread: Omit Cheddar cheese and pepper.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil with final addition of flour.
• Taco Casserole Bread: Omit Cheddar cheese and pepper.
• Substitute 1/2 cup cornmeal for 1/2 cup of final addition of flour.
• Stir in 1 cup shredded hot pepper cheese (4 ounces) and 2 to 4 tablespoons chopped green chilies, very well drained, with final addition of flour.
• Sprinkle top of loaf with cornmeal before baking.

CRACKED BLACK PEPPER CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• Mix together first 6 ingredients in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the center of the flour mixture; set aside.
• In another smaller bowl, mix together eggs, yogurt, oil, milk, and mustard.
• Add to the flour mixture; also add cheese and onions.
• Mix just until moistened; batter will be lumpy.
• Pour batter into a greased 8x4x2 inch loaf pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until tests done.
• Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minute.
• Remove bread from pan and this is best served warm.
• This bread goes well with hearty stews and soups.