Pan Peineta Mexican Comb Bread Recipes

PAN PEINETA (MEXICAN COMB BREAD)

Steps:

• Heat the first five ingredients (shortening through salt) in a pan until the shortening is melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
• Mix 1 teaspoons sugar, 1 tbs. active dry yeast and 1/4 cup warm water in a large bowl. Allow to stand until foamy.
• Mix cooled shortening mixture, beaten egg, vital wheat gluten (if using) and flour into proofed yeast. Add flour gradually and mix well after each addition. The amount of flour needed may vary according to humidity level. Dough should be soft and pliable, but not loose or extremely stiff. Remove dough from bowl to a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth, adding flour by the tbs. if dough is too sticky. Form dough into a large ball and place in a greased bowl. Turn dough over to grease entire surface. Cover and allow to rise in a warm area for about an hour, or until dough doubles in size.
• Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Divide dough into four even pieces. Roll each piece into an 8" circle. Make 3/4" cuts around the edge of each circle. Fold each circle in half.
• Lightly grease two baking sheets. Place two loaves on each sheet. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size. While dough is in it's final rise, preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Bake at 350ºF for about 25 minutes, or until light golden brown.
• Alternatively, you could make the dough in a bread machine on the dough cycle, following the recipe instructions for shaping, rising and baking.

PAN DE MUERTOS (MEXICAN BREAD OF THE DEAD)

Steps:

• Heat the milk and the butter together in a medium saucepan, until the butter melts. Remove from the heat and add them warm water. The mixture should be around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).
• In a large bowl combine 1 cup of the flour, yeast, salt, anise seed and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Beat in the warm milk mixture then add the eggs and orange zest and beat until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup of flour and continue adding more flour until the dough is soft.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This will take about 1 to 2 hours. Punch the dough down and shape it into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. Place dough onto a baking sheet, loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until just about doubled in size.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven let cool slightly then brush with glaze.
• To make glaze: In a small saucepan combine the 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice and orange zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes. Brush over top of bread while still warm. Sprinkle glazed bread with white sugar.

EASY MEXICAN PAN BREAD

Steps:

• Cook beans in extra water; drain, reserving 3/4 Celsius of the cooking liquid, Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in an ovenproof skillet and saute onion and garlic until onion is translucent. Remove half the onion and garlic to a bowl and add the cooked beans, reserved bean liquid, egg, remaining 2 tbsp.oil, cornmeal, baking powder, chili powder, cumin, green pepper, and salt. Mix well and put into the skillet on top of the remaining cooked onions. Do not stir, the onion should remain on the bottom.
• Bake for about 15 minutes. Just before it is done, sprinkle with grated cheese and olives, and continue baking until cheese melts. Garnish before serving.