world bread day 2007

In grade school, I was always doing my homework so that I could get it out of the way and go out to play. In college, I was the one who would take a two hour final exam in one hour, turning it in and usually freaking out the others in my class. You might be wondering what the heck this has got to do with World Bread Baking Day? Well, the weather was so warm in September so I took advantage of it and made my entry way ahead of time.

Zorra of Kochtopf is again hosting World Bread Day 2007, which is today. I participated last year and made sweet potato bread and chocolate bread.

This year I made yomogi anpan. I used the same recipe that I used to make regular anpan with the addition of yomogi (mugwort), some green tea, sesame seeds and the an (sweet bean paste).

To make your own, follow the recipe I used here for anpan. I reconstituted a tablespoon of yomogi in warm water and then whizzed it in the food processor. I also added 1/2 tablespoon of green tea powder. I added both of this to the dough before letting it rise the 1st time. You can't tell too much from these photos but the anpan is a light green. The reason I added the green tea powder was to help bring out some of that color.

Hot out of the oven these yomogi anpan had a subdued sweetness. I think the yomogi and green tea had a lot to do with this. Anpan makes a nice treat and freezes well too. Just pop them into a toaster oven to warm them up, the outside will get crispy while the inside gets fluffy.

Check back on Zorra's site to see what others from around the world made. Thanks Zorra for hosting this great event!

world bread day 2006

Today is World Bread Day.

I saw this post on Jasmine's blog, Confessions of a Cardamom Addict. It seems that Zorra of Kochtopf, is hosting this event, but was actually started by the UIB (International Union of Bakers and Baker-Confectioners).

What we need to do, is either make or buy your favorite bread then post about it.

I decided to make my own bread.

Here is the recipe I use for my basic bread (from the yeast packet box):
300g (3 cups) flour
6g (2 tsp) dry yeast
40g (4 1/2 tablespoon) sugar
30g (1/2)beaten egg
175cc (3/4 cup) water
5g (1 tsp) salt
45g (3 1/2 tablespoon) butter
beaten egg to wash the top
flour for kneading and handling

1. In a bowl, put the flour, yeast and sugar and mix lightly to combine. Add the egg and water.
2. When everything comes together, put out onto a floured board
3. Press down on the dough with your fists to take out the air
4. Knead and fold the dough about 100 times, repeating steps 3 & 4.
5. Sprinkle some salt
6. Work in butter by spreading it as you fold and knead the dough.
7. After about 20 minutes of kneading, the dough should be quite thin when pulled apart.
8. Cover and let rest in a warm place for 50-60 minutes. The dough should rise about 2-3times the size.
9. After the 50-60 minutes, poke the dough with your finger and the dough should stay put.
10. Cut the dough into 40-50g pieces (about 12)
11. Round the pieces in your palms
12. Let rest for another 10 minutes, covered.
13. After the 10 minutes, roll out into a triangle.
Roll from the bottom to the tip.
14. Place the rolled tip on the bottom.
15. Let rest for another 40 minutes, covered.
16. Wash the tops with the rest of the beaten egg.
17. Heat your oven to 200C(400F) and bake for 8 - 13 minutes.

Notes: If you want to add a filling, do it at step 13, when rolling up.

I added sweet potato with cinnamon, sugar and sesame seeds to half of the dough. Steam the sweet potato and cool before adding to the dough.


The other half, I added chocolate chips and the rest of the cinnamon, sugar and sesame seeds.

Enjoy!

p.s. There was a huge earthquake just off the coast of the Big Island in Hawaii, this morning, which affected all the islands. I hope all of my family and friends are okay. I heard that the power has been off for most of the day, hang in there! And I hope to hear from all of you soon!