Bacon and cheddar loaves recipe
- 400 g (14.1oz) strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 100 g (3.5oz) strong wholemeal bread flour
- 10 g (0.4oz) salt
- 10 g (0.4oz) instant yeast
- 30 g (1.1oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 330 ml (11.6fl oz) cool water
- 1 cup olive oil for cooking and to finish
- 8 rashers of smoked back bacon, rind removed
- 150 g (5.3oz) Cheddar cheese, grated
- Tip the flours into a large mixing bowl and add the salt to one side of the bowl and the yeast to the other.
- Add the butter and three-quarters of the water and turn the mixture round with your fingers.
- Continue to add the remaining water, a little at a time, until youve picked up all the flour from the sides of the bowl.
- You may not need to add all the water, or you may need to add a little more you want dough that is soft, but not soggy.
- Use the mixture to clean the inside of the bowl and keep going until the mixture forms a rough dough.
- Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and begin to knead.
- Keep kneading for 510 minutes.
- Work through the initial wet stage until the dough starts to form a soft, smooth skin.
- When your dough feels smooth and silky, put it into a lightly oiled bowl.
- Cover with a tea towel and leave to rise until at least doubled in size at least 1 hour, but its fine to leave it for 2 or even 3 hours.
- Meanwhile, for the filling, heat a little olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.
- Add the bacon and cook gently on both sides until tender.
- Remove and set aside to cool, then chop.
- Line 2 baking trays with baking parchment or silicone paper.
- Once the dough is risen, add the bacon and cheese to it and knead in until well distributed.
- Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly, pushing any pieces of bacon or cheese that bounce out back in.
- Divide the dough into 4 pieces and shape into ovals, about 2.5cm thick, tapering the ends of the loaves into points.
- Place 2 dough ovals on each tray, spacing them apart.
- Dust the loaves with flour and deeply slash the tops lengthways.
- Put each tray inside a clean plastic bag and leave to prove for 1 hour, or until the dough is at least doubled in size and springs back quickly if you prod it lightly with your finger.
- Meanwhile, heat your oven to 220C.
- Sprinkle the loaves with a little olive oil and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Eat warm.
white bread, wholemeal bread, salt, yeast, unsalted butter, water, olive oil, rashers, cheddar cheese
Taken from www.lovefood.com/guide/recipes/20757/bacon-and-cheddar-loaves-recipe (may not work)