Best 2 Portuguese Farm Bread Recipes

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In the heart of Portugal, where rustic charm meets culinary artistry, lies a delectable treasure known as Portuguese farm bread, a symphony of flavors that captures the essence of traditional Portuguese cuisine. This humble yet extraordinary bread is a testament to the enduring legacy of Portugal's rich baking heritage. With its golden-brown crust and airy, flavorful interior, Portuguese farm bread is a versatile delight that can be enjoyed as a standalone snack, paired with savory dishes, or transformed into delectable sandwiches. Its distinctive taste and aroma are a testament to the finest ingredients, including high-quality flour, fresh yeast, and a touch of sea salt. Discover the secrets behind this culinary gem as we delve into a collection of authentic Portuguese farm bread recipes that will transport you to the sun-kissed fields and vibrant markets of Portugal. From classic loaves to innovative variations, these recipes cater to every palate, promising a culinary journey that celebrates the rustic elegance of Portuguese farm bread.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PORTUGUESE FARM BREAD



Portuguese Farm Bread image

Provided by Jean Anderson

Categories     Bread     Bread Machine     Bake

Yield Makes one 8-inch round loaf

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3/4 cup unsifted semolina (durum) flour
1 cup very warm water (110° to 115°F)
3 cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • 1. Combine the yeast, semolina flour, and water by churning 10 seconds in a large heavy-duty food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade. Scrape down the sides of the work bowl, re-cover, and let stand until foamy, about 15 minutes.
  • 2. With the machine running, add half the all-purpose flour down the feed tube. It's easier if you pour the flour from a spouted measuring cup into a wide-mouth canning funnel inserted in the feed tube or failing that, a stiff piece of paper rolled into a cone (the opening at the bottom should be at least 1 inch across).
  • 3. Using a plastic spatula, scrape the work bowl, and if necessary, redistribute the dough so that it evenly surrounds the blade - take care! Add the salt and remaining flour, distributing evenly over the dough, and churn for 10 seconds. Again scrape the work bowl and redistribute the dough.
  • 4. Churn the dough for 20 seconds nonstop, shut the machine off, and let the dough rest in the sealed work bowl for 5 minutes. Now churn for another 20 seconds.
  • 5. Leaving the blade in place, carefully redistribute the dough until it's of uniform thinness. Re-cover the work bowl, keeping the pusher in. Note the level of the dough in bulk, estimate what it should be when doubled in bulk, and mark that level on the side of the work bowl.
  • 6. Let the dough rise in the sealed work bowl until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, lightly coat an 8-inch springform pan or 8-inch pie pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • 7. When the dough has fully doubled, pulse quickly 4 to 5 times to punch down, then churn for 20 seconds nonstop. Let the dough rest in the sealed work bowl for 5 minutes, then churn for another 20 seconds. The dough will roll into a ball and leave the sides of the work bowl reasonably clean.
  • 8. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a ball, then roll in the flour to dust lightly. Place the loaf in the prepared pan, cover with a clean, dry dish towel, and set in a warm, dry spot until nearly doubled in bulk - this will take about 30 minutes.
  • 9. When the dough has risen for 10 minutes, position one rack in the middle of the oven and slide a second rack in the slot just below. Place a large shallow baking pan on the lower rack - I use a 15 1/2 X 10 1/2 X 1-inch jelly roll pan - and half-fill with water. Preheat the over to 500°F.
  • 10. Center the risen loaf on the middle rack and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F and continue baking until richly browned and hollow sounding when thumped, 20 to 25 minutes longer.
  • 11. Remove the bread from the pan as soon as it comes from the oven, set right-side-up on a wire rack, and cool to room temperature before cutting.

PAO: PORTUGUESE FARM BREAD



Pao: Portuguese Farm Bread image

Provided by Food Network

Time 2h40m

Yield 1 (8-inch) round loaf

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3/4 cup unsifted semolina (durum) flour
1 cup very warm water (110 to 115 degrees F)
3 cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Combine the yeast, semolina flour, and water by pulsing 10 seconds in a large heavy-duty food processor (about 11 cup capacity) fitted with the metal chopping blade. Scrape down the side of the work bowl, recover, and let stand until foamy, about 15 minutes.
  • With the machine running, add 1 1/2 cups of the all-purpose flour down the feed tube. It's easier if the flour is poured from a spouted measuring cup into a wide-mouth canning funnel inserted in the feed tube, or a stiff piece of paper rolled into a cone (the opening at the bottom should be at least 1-inch across).
  • Using a plastic spatula scrape the work bowl and, if necessary, redistribute the dough so that it evenly surrounds the blade. Be careful of the blade. Add the salt and remaining flour, distribute evenly over the dough, and pulse for 10 seconds. Again scrape the work bowl and redistribute the dough.
  • Pulse the dough for 20 seconds nonstop, shut the machine off, and let the dough rest covered in the work bowl for 5 minutes. Now pulse for another 20 seconds.
  • Leaving the blade in place, carefully redistribute the dough until it's of uniform thickness. Recover the work bowl, keeping the pusher from the feed tube in. Note the level of the dough, estimate what it should be when doubled in bulk, and mark that level on the side of the work bowl.
  • Let the dough rise in the sealed work bowl until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, lightly coat an 8-inch springform pan or 8-inch pie pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • When the dough has fully doubled, pulse quickly 4 to 5 times to punch down, then pulse for 20 seconds nonstop. Let the dough rest in the sealed work bowl for 5 minutes, then pulse for another 20 seconds. The dough will roll into a ball and leave the sides of the work bowl reasonably clean.
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a ball, then roll in the flour to dust lightly. Place the loaf in the prepared pan, cover with a clean, dry dish towel, and set in a warm, dry spot until nearly doubled in bulk, this will take about 30 minutes.
  • When the dough has risen for 10 minutes, position 1 rack in the middle of the oven and slide a second rack in the slot just below. Place a large shallow baking pan on the lower rack?I use a 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 by 1-inch jelly roll pan?and half-fill with water. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
  • Center the risen loaf on the middle rack and bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. and continue to bake until richly browned and hollow sounding when thumped, about 20 to 25 minutes longer.
  • Remove the bread from the pan as soon as it comes from the oven, set right-side up on a wire rack, and cool to room temperature before cutting.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your bread.
  • Make sure your water is warm, but not hot. Hot water will kill the yeast and prevent the bread from rising.
  • Don't over-knead the dough. Over-kneading will make the bread tough.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place. This will help the yeast to grow and produce gas, which will make the bread light and fluffy.
  • Bake the bread in a preheated oven. This will help the bread to rise evenly.
  • Don't over-bake the bread. Over-baking will make the bread dry and crumbly.

Conclusion:

Portuguese farm bread is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed with a variety of meals. It is a great choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying bread, give Portuguese farm bread a try!

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