Cracked Pepper Bread Recipes

PROSCIUTTO, ROSEMARY AND PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl or in the bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer, sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir. Let stand until the yeast softens, about 10 minutes. Stir to dissolve the yeast.
• Using a wooden spoon or the paddle blade of the mixer, stir in the oil, salt and pepper. Gradually beat in enough flour to make a shaggy dough that clears the sides of the bowl.
• If kneading by hand, turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough, adding more flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• If kneading by machine, change to the dough hook and knead on medium-low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. If desired, knead on the work surface to check the consistency.
• Shape the dough into a ball. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled large bowl. Turn to coat the dough with oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Punch down the dough and shape into a ball. Return the dough to the bowl, turn to coat with oil, cover and let rise until doubled again, about 45 minutes.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet.
• Turn out the dough onto the work surface. Knead, gradually working in the prosciutto and rosemary. Flatten the dough into a 12-inch disk. Starting at a long end, roll up jelly-roll style. Pinch the seams shut. Place on a baking sheet, seam side down. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.
• Using a very sharp knife, cut 3 shallow diagonal slashes in the top of the bread. Bake until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. If desired, wrap in aluminum foil and store at room temperature up to 8 hours before serving.

CRACKED BLACK PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the milk, butter, sugar, and pepper. Place over medium-high heat and bring to about 110 degrees F. Remove from the heat and sprinkle the yeast over the surface of the milk. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
• Pour the milk and yeast mixture into the bowl of flour and mix until a soft, ragged mixture is formed. Transfer the mixture to a well-floured work surface and knead until a soft elastic dough is formed, about 10 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and place in a warm spot, until puffed and doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Transfer the dough to the work surface and, using your hands, gently flatten it into a 10-inch-long oval shape. Fold the dough into thirds lengthwise, overlapping the sides in the center. Press down on the overlapping sides to seal and make a seam. Place it seam side-down in a buttered 9 by 5-inch loaf pan, cover with a kitchen towel, and return to the warmest part of the kitchen until the dough has risen about 1 1/2 inches over the top of the pan, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Brush the top of the dough lightly with warm water and, using a sharp knife, make 1/4-inch-deep slit down the center. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the loaf from the pan and place in the center of the rack. Continue baking until the loaf sounds hollow when rapt lightly with your knuckles on the bottom and top, and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 200 degrees F., about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the bread loaf to a cooling rack and let cool for 2 hours before using.

CRACKED PEPPER FOCACCIA WITH TRUFFLE OIL

Steps:

• Stir 2 cups lukewarm water and yeast in large bowl to blend. Mix in 3 tablespoons olive oil, truffle oil, cracked pepper, and 2 teaspoons salt. Add 1 cup flour. Using wood spoon, stir vigorously until well incorporated. Add enough of remaining 3 3/4 cups flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, to form dough that is soft, sticky and not completely smooth, stirring vigorously until well incorporated. Oil large bowl. Scrape dough into oiled bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. For do-ahead version: Chill dough overnight. Allow dough to come to room temperature in warm draft-free area before proceeding. For same-day version: Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes (do not punch down dough).
• Lightly oil 15x10x1-inch baking sheet. Slide out dough onto prepared baking sheet (dough will be soft and will easily slide out onto sheet; do not punch down dough or knead dough). Gently pull and stretch dough so that dough almost covers baking sheet. Press fingertips all over top of dough to form indentations. Brush top of focaccia with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with thyme, rosemary and coarse salt. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm draft-free area until puffed, about 30 minutes for refrigerated dough and about 15 minutes for room-temperature dough.
• Meanwhile, position rack in center of oven and preheat to 450°F. Bake focaccia until deep golden brown, about 30 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool.
• *Available at Italian markets, specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.

CHEDDAR & CRACKED PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Mix 1 cup flour, the yeast (dry) and salt.
• Heat margarine, water and milk until very warm (125 to 130ºF).
• Add to flour mixture; beat on low speed until moistened, scraping bowl constantly.
• Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour.
• Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Stir in cheese, pepper and remaining flour until smooth.
• Scrape batter from side of bowl.
• Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
• Generously grease 2-quart casserole or loaf pan, 9 × 5 × 3 inches.
• Stir down batter by beating about 25 strokes.
• Spread evenly in casserole.
• Cover; let rise 30 to 45 minutes or until double.
• Heat oven to 375º.
• Place loaf on low rack so that top of casserole is in center of oven.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until loaf is brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
• Immediately remove from casserole to wire rack.
• Brush top of loaf with margarine.
• Serve warm or cool; cut into wedges with serrated knife.
• Variations.
• Garlic Casserole Bread: Omit Cheddar cheese and pepper.
• Stir in 1 clove garlic, crushed or finely chopped, with final addition of flour.
• Sprinkle top of loaf with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese before baking.
• Herbed Casserole Bread: Omit Cheddar cheese and pepper.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil with final addition of flour.
• Taco Casserole Bread: Omit Cheddar cheese and pepper.
• Substitute 1/2 cup cornmeal for 1/2 cup of final addition of flour.
• Stir in 1 cup shredded hot pepper cheese (4 ounces) and 2 to 4 tablespoons chopped green chilies, very well drained, with final addition of flour.
• Sprinkle top of loaf with cornmeal before baking.

CRACKED BLACK PEPPER BREAD (BREAD MACHINE)

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in bread machine pan in order suggested by manufacturer.
• Select basic bread setting.
• Do not use time delay feature of your bread machine for this recipe.

CRACKED BLACK PEPPER CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• Mix together first 6 ingredients in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the center of the flour mixture; set aside.
• In another smaller bowl, mix together eggs, yogurt, oil, milk, and mustard.
• Add to the flour mixture; also add cheese and onions.
• Mix just until moistened; batter will be lumpy.
• Pour batter into a greased 8x4x2 inch loaf pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until tests done.
• Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minute.
• Remove bread from pan and this is best served warm.
• This bread goes well with hearty stews and soups.

BOURSIN AND BACON ON CRACKED PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Spread each of 4 slices of bread with 3 ounces of Boursin cheese.
• Cut each bacon slice in half lengthwise. Place 2 pieces of bacon (4 halves) on top of each of the Boursin-prepared slices of bread.
• Cover each prepared half with another slice of bread.
• Evenly butter the top of each sandwich. Place each sandwich butter side down in a frying pan over medium heat. While the first side is grilling, butter the second side of bread. Cook until golden and crusty, about 1-2 minutes. Carefully turn and cook until second side is golden, about 1-2 minutes more.