Bon Appetits Italian Pepper Bread Recipes

BON APPETIT'S ITALIAN PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Oil large bowl and set aside. Warm salt pork in large skillet over low heat until some fat is rendered. Increase heat to medium-high and saute until crisp. Drain pork on paper towels. Reserve 1/4 cup fat from skillet.
• Combine 1 1/2 cups warm water, reserved pork fat, salt and pepper in large bowl. Dissolve yeast in remaining 3/4 cup warm water. Let stand until foamy and proofed, about 10 minutes.
• Add to pepper mixture. Add salt pork and 3 cups flour, stirring vigorously until mixture forms smooth batter.
• Blend in remaining flour 1 cup at a time to form stiff dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Transfer to prepared bowl, turning to coat entire surface. Cover and let stand in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Punch dough down. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and cut in half. Divide each half into thirds. Roll each piece into 12-inch-long rope. Place 3 ropes on ungreased baking sheet and braid together, pinching ends to seal.
• Repeat with remaining dough. Cover lightly and let stand in warm, draft-free area until doubled, 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375*F. Brush loaves with beaten egg. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake until crust is golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped, 40-45 minutes. Cool on racks.
• Italian Pepper Bread can be prepared ahead, wrapped tightly in foil and frozen.

SWEET RED PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Chop one of the onions. In a covered frying pan, cook the onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons olive oil over low heat until very tender. Chop one of the red peppers and add to the pan. Continue cooking until the pepper is fork- tender and limp. Puree the onion-pepper mixture in a blender or food processor and set aside.
• Cut another pepper into fine dice. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, cayenne, saffron, several grinds of fresh pepper, onion-pepper puree and diced raw pepper.
• Stir in 3 cups flour, or enough to form a soft dough that can be turned out onto a floured surface. Knead for 10 minutes, adding flour until the dough is firm. Place in a oiled bowl, cover with a towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour.
• While the bread rises, cut the remaining onion into slices 1/2-inch thick. Separate the rings and cook them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over low heat until almost tender. Cut the remaining red pepper into strips. Add to the onion and cook until tender. Let cool.
• Take the dough from the bowl and shape it into a flat round on an oiled baking sheet. Press or roll the dough out to a circle about 10 inches in diameter. Press down on the center of the dough slightly and make a 9-inch central portion indented just a bit to receive the topping.
• Mix the egg and oregano into the cooked vegetables. Spread the mixture over the indented portion of the bread, arranging the pepper artistically in the process. Sprinkle with salt and grind on a bit of pepper. Let the bread rise for 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

GRILLED BREAD SALAD WITH SWEET PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Prepare grill for medium-high heat. Toss bread with 2 tablespoons oil in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Toss bell peppers and onions with 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Grill bread, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Grill vegetables, turning often, until very tender and charred in spots, 8-10 minutes for peppers and 10-12 minutes for onions; transfer to a cutting board.
• Trim root end from onions and separate layers. Transfer to a large bowl, add vinegar and paprika, and toss to coat. Remove as much skin as possible from peppers; discard. Cut into 1 1/2" strips.
• Add peppers, grilled bread, 2 tablespoons chives, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil to bowl with onions and toss to combine; season with salt, pepper, and more vinegar, if desired. Serve topped with more chives.