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Fenugreek Corn Bread

Reggie Dwork <reggie@jeff-and-reggie.com>
Sun, 06 Nov 2016 10:58:22 -0800
v116.n041.4
* Exported from MasterCook *

                            Bread, Fenugreek Corn

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 8     Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Bread                           Bread-Bakers Mailing List
                  Fatfree                         Grains
                  Hand Made                       Stand Mixer

    Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
       1/2      teaspoon  fenugreek seed
    1           teaspoon  dry yeast
    2        tablespoons  brown sugar
    1 1/2           cups  lukewarm water
    2               cups  hard unbleached white flour -- to 3C
    1           teaspoon  salt
    1 1/2           cups  corn flour -- (ground as fine as wheat 
flour - not corn meal)

Egypt

Fenugreek is a white-flowered herbaceous plant of the pea family, 
with aromatic seeds that are used for flavoring, especially ground 
and used in curry powder. Can be ordered on the internet or available 
at Whole Foods and other markets.

In the Nile Delta, all the way from Cairo to Alexandria, in front of 
every village home you can see a beehive-shaped oven, simply built 
with mud and straw. A small fire of thatch and twigs burns in a lower 
chamber, heating the bottom of an upper chamber, where the flatbreads 
are baked. It requires relatively little fuel to heat the oven and to 
bake the breads, but the oven must be rebuilt every two years. The 
oven design is a very practical one in an area where fuel is scarce, 
but mud is always available.

This delicious bread comes from the Nile Delta: aromatic with freshly 
ground fenugreek and a blend of corn and wheat flours, and simple to prepare.

You will need a heavy skillet, a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, 
a medium-sized bread bowl, several large (12 by 18") baking sheets, 
and a rolling pin.

In a heavy skillet, dry-roast the fenugreek seeds over medium-high 
heat until they begin to bounce around and to brown slightly, about 2 
to 3 minutes; do not burn. Grind to a powder in a mortar or spice 
grinder, and set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, sprinkle the yeast and sugar over the warm 
water, and stir to dissolve. Stir in 1 1/2 cups white flour, and then 
stir 100 times in the same direction, about 1 minute, to develop the gluten.

Sprinkle the salt and ground fenugreek over the dough, and stir to 
mix well. Gradually stir in the corn flour. Then stir in more 
unbleached flour until your dough will not accommodate any more 
flour, and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 6 
minutes, adding additional flour only as needed. Rinse out the bread 
bowl, lightly oil it, and put the dough back into the bowl. Cover 
with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in volume, approximately 
1 1/2 hours.

Punch down the dough and let rest for 5 minutes. Lightly oil several 
large baking sheets.

On a lightly floured surface, cut the dough into 8 equal pieces. 
Flatten each piece between floured palms. With a rolling pin, roll 
out each bread to a round approximately 6" in diameter. As you finish 
rolling out each bread, place it on a baking sheet. Cover the breads 
with plastic wrap and let rest for 20 minutes.

Position a rack in the center of your oven, and preheat the oven to 400F.

Bake the breads, one sheet at a time, for 12 to 15 minutes, or until 
lightly browned on both top and bottom. Remove and cool on racks. 
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 8 round flatbreads about 6" in diameter.

Source:
    ""Flatbreads & Flavors" by Jeffrey Alford & Naomi Duguid"
                                      - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 204 Calories; 1g Fat (5.3% 
calories from fat); 5g Protein; 43g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 
0mg Cholesterol; 271mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 2 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 
Lean Meat; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.