Friday 8 January 2016

Palak Bread or Spinach Bread




I posted many bread varieties here. But, this one is very unique just not only by its (green) colour also by its ingredient. 
I am sure, most of the mums like this bread because of palak added into this bread (which is enriched with vitamin and minerals) but, kids can’t event feel it. My son calls it as “Popeye” bread". 

Ingredient – Palak (spinach) bunch (cleaned and blanched)       ;       hand full of  mint and coriander leaves       ;        1 tsp of salt        ;        1 tsp of sugar        ;        1 tsp of yeast         ;       50 gms of butter         ;          3 /4 cup of warm water        ;        2 cloves chopped garlic    ;       1 ½ cup whole wheat flour          ;          1 cup of all purpose flour

 Procedure : Rinse the palak (spinach) leaves very well in running water and remove the stringy stems (if any) add the leaves into  (3 cups)  hot water (about 60 - 70°C) with  ¼ tsp salt and close with a lid and leave it for  2- 3 min.

Strain the palak leaves quickly and add about 3 cups of ice cold water  (to preserve the green color of the spinach) allow it for a minute  and strain the water and add the spinach leaves and chopped mint and coriander leaves in a grinder jar and make smooth puree (do not add any water) and keep it aside.

In a mixing bowl add lukewarm water, sugar, yeast, butter mix well. Add palak (spinach) puree, garlic and mix well. Add 1 ½ cup of whole wheat flour mix in to the yeast - spinach mixture and start kneading the dough. 

Add the all purpose flour little by little and knead until it become smooth and elastic dough but, not sticky. Shape it into a ball and place it in an oiled bowl and cover with damp cloth for about 1 1/2  -  2 hours or till it become double in volume. 
 

Gently deflate the dough and shape the dough into a greased loaf tin and cover the loaf with damp cloth for about an hour or it raise almost at the edges of your loaf tin.

Bake at 180°C pre-heated oven for about  40 to 50 minutes or till the bread is nice brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped.