Rice bread

Rice Bread - a soft and aromatic delicacy

If you are looking for a bread recipe that will delight you with a unique texture and wonderful taste, you have come to the right place! Rice bread is an unusual dish, perfect for family meals or for those moments when you want to impress your friends. This recipe not only combines simple ingredients but also offers a fascinating story, being a traditional combination that has evolved over time, bringing joy and comfort to tables around the world.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including rising time)
Number of servings: 6

Necessary ingredients

- 280 ml lukewarm water
- 575 grams white wheat flour
- 200 grams cooked rice (drained and cooled)
- 30 ml milk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 20 grams butter (soft, at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons dry yeast
- 1 egg (for added flavor)

Preparing the dough

1. Combining the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the flour, salt, and dry yeast. Make sure the yeast and salt do not touch directly, as salt can inhibit the yeast's activity. Then add the soft butter, lukewarm water, milk, and egg. Mix everything with a spatula or wooden spoon until the ingredients start to combine.

2. Adding the rice: At this stage, add the drained and cooled rice. It is essential that the rice is well-cooled; otherwise, it can affect the overall temperature of the dough and the rising process.

3. Kneading the dough: The dough will be quite sticky at first, which is normal. Start kneading the dough for about 10 minutes. You can add a little extra flour, little by little, to make it easier to handle. Kneading is a crucial step to develop the gluten, which will give the bread a fluffy texture.

4. Rising: Once you have kneaded the dough, shape it into a ball and place it in a bowl greased with a little oil. Cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in volume.

Shaping the bread

1. Preparing the baking pan: While the dough is rising, you can prepare the loaf pan. Line it with parchment paper or grease it with butter to prevent sticking.

2. Dividing the dough: After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide it into six equal parts.

3. Shaping the loaves: Take each piece of dough and shape it into a long loaf, about 13 cm. Place the six loaves side by side in the pan so that they just touch each other. This will create a unique texture once baked.

4. Second rising: Cover the pan again with a towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes, or until the dough reaches the top edge of the pan.

Baking

1. Preheating the oven: While the dough is doing its final rise, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

2. Baking the bread: Once the oven is hot, place the pan with the loaves inside and bake for 30 minutes. The bread is ready when it turns golden and sounds hollow when you tap the bottom.

3. Cooling: After removing the bread from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes in the pan, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important to prevent condensation under the bread and maintain a crunchy texture.

Serving suggestions and variations

Rice bread is delicious served warm, plain, or spread with butter. You can pair it with fruit jams, cheese, or even savory dishes like soups and stews. For a personal touch, you can add dried herbs or seeds (such as sesame, poppy, or flax) to the dough before shaping it.

Nutritional benefits

This bread is not only tasty but also nutritious. The rice adds complex carbohydrates, providing you with long-lasting energy, and the egg contributes quality protein. Butter, although rich in calories, adds flavor and healthy fats.

Calories and nutritional information

A serving of rice bread (approximately 100 g) contains about 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used and the amount of butter added. It is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy a less common bread with a soft texture.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use brown rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice for a healthier version, but make sure it is well-cooked and cooled before adding it to the dough.

2. What other ingredients can I add?
You can experiment with various herbs or spices, such as rosemary or thyme, to add interesting flavors.

3. How can I store the bread?
The bread stores best in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can also freeze it to enjoy later.

4. Can it be made gluten-free?
You can try replacing wheat flour with a combination of gluten-free flour, but the texture and taste may vary.

Now that you have all the necessary details, all that's left is to start cooking! Once you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it turned out for you. It may become part of your favorite bread recipes. Enjoy!