Whole-Grain Chocolate-Cherry Bread Twists
- 2 tablespoons whole-grain bulgur
- 2 tablespoons quinoa
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed
- 3/4 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees F)
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups white whole-wheat flour (6 ounces), plus more for kneading
- Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup finely chopped dried cherries
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small pot.
- Add the bulgur and quinoa and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Place the grains in a fine-mesh strainer and run under cold water to stop the cooking.
- Let the grains drain in the strainer for 15 minutes, then spread out on a thick layer of paper towels to absorb any extra moisture.
- Meanwhile, coarsely grind the flaxseed in a spice grinder, just to break them open.
- Stir together the warm water, agave and yeast in a measuring cup or small bowl.
- Let sit until a small layer of foam develops at the top, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- (If this doesn't happen, discard and try again with new yeast.)
- Whisk the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl.
- Add the foamy yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour and mix together with a stiff rubber spatula.
- When the dough starts to come together, mix in the cooked grains, crushed flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, cherries and chocolate.
- Form into a uniform ball in the center of the bowl.
- Be sure to scrape and use any dough stuck to the sides.
- The dough will be very sticky at this stage.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and keep in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of flour on a clean, dry work surface.
- Scrape the dough out of the bowl and knead for a couple of minutes, working in just enough flour to make the dough less sticky but still moist to the touch.
- Flour your hands periodically to prevent sticking.
- Roll the dough out into a 10-inch square; cut the square in half and then cut each half into 6 crosswise strips about 5 inches long.
- Brush the strips all over with 1 tablespoon of the butter.
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle half over the butter.
- Take the ends of one strip and twist in opposite directions until fully twisted.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining strips, spaced about 1 inch apart.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a dish towel and let rest in a warm place until puffed slightly, about 30 minutes.
- Uncover the strips and bake until the bottoms are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove them from the oven; brush with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon-sugar.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Freeze the unbaked strips for up to 2 weeks.
- Thaw and let sit at room temperature until slightly puffed, about 1 1/2 hours before baking.
- Per serving (1 twist): Calories: 160; Fat: 7 g (Saturated: 3 g); Cholesterol: 5 mg; Sodium: 85 mg; Carbohydrate: 21 g; Fiber: 4 g; Protein: 4 g; Sugar: 5 g
wholegrain bulgur, quinoa, flaxseed, warm water, syrup, active dry yeast, flour, kosher salt, extravirgin olive oil, sunflower seeds, dried cherries, bittersweet chocolate, unsalted butter, sugar, ground cinnamon
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/whole-grain-chocolate-cherry-bread-twists.html (may not work)