CHEESE AND BEER BREAD
Makes 1 large loaf. This bread is perfect to serve at a braai.
500g self-raising flour
200g cheddar cheese, grated
1 packet of white onion soup powder
330ml can of beer
50ml water
extra grated cheese for sprinkling
Combine the flour, cheese and soup powder in a bowl and mix well.
Add the beer and water and mix to form a thick batter. Spoon the mixture in a well- greased and base-lined 24x14cm loaf pan.
Sprinkle the top of the batter with a little grated cheese.
Bake at 180°C for 50-60 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the bread comes out clean. Remove and turn out on to a cooling rack.
Serve warm with butter.
* The beer and water can be replaced with buttermilk. For a nice variation add a 400g can of sweetcorn kernels to the batter.
EASY RYE BREAD
Makes 2 small loaves. These loaves keep well for a few days and are delicious sliced and toasted.
500ml pure rye flour
250ml cake flour
250ml nutty wheat flour
10ml salt
10g sachet of instant yeast
150ml sour cream
30ml molasses
warm water to mix
Combine the flours, salt and yeast in a bowl and mix. Add the sour cream, molasses and enough warm water to form a dough that is soft but not sticky. Knead well until smooth and elastic. Put the dough into an oiled plastic bag and leave to rise until doubled in size.
Remove the dough from the bag and knead gently. Divide the dough in half and shape each into a loaf.
Place on a greased baking tray and cover with the oiled plastic bag. Leave to rise for about 20 minutes. Use a sharp knife to score the bread a few times on top.
Sift over some rye flour and bake at 200°C for 30 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
RAISIN LOAF
Makes 1 large loaf. This loaf is best eaten fresh on the day of baking but is also delicious toasted thereafter.
4x250ml flour
60ml sugar
5ml salt
10g sachet of instant yeast
10ml cinnamon
100ml buttermilk, lightly warmed
60g butter, melted
1 egg
60 to 80ml warm water
160ml raisins
beaten egg for glazing
Glaze
60ml water
30ml sugar
2ml cinnamon
Combine the flour, sugar, salt, yeast and cinnamon in mixing bowl. Mix well.
Combine buttermilk, butter and egg and add to flour, together with enough warm water to make a dough that is soft but not sticky.
Mix in the raisins. Knead well until smooth and elastic. Place dough in oiled plastic bag and leave in warm place until well risen.
Knock dough back. Roll out into rectangle wide enough to fit your loaf tin. Roll up dough and place into greased loaf tin. Cover with the oiled plastic bag and leave to rise until double in size. Brush with a little beaten egg and bake at 180°C for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown and sounding hollow when tapped. Remove from oven and turn out on to cooling rack. Brush glaze over the warm loaf and leave to cool.
GLAZE: Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and microwave on full power for 2 minutes.
HEALTH BREAD
4x250ml wholewheat flour
500ml digestive bran
250ml assorted seeds (sesame, poppy, etc)
125ml raisins or dried cranberries
125ml chopped pecan nuts
125ml dried apricots, finely chopped
30ml bicarbonate of soda
1 litre plain yoghurt
125ml honey
extra seeds for sprinkling
In a large bowl, combine flour, bran, seeds, raisins, nuts, apricots and bicarbonate of soda, then mix well.
Combine yoghurt and honey.
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the yoghurt mixture. Stir until well mixed.
Spoon the mixture into two greased and base-lined 22x11cm loaf pans or 6 mini-loaf pans.
Sprinkle a few seeds on top and bake at 180°C for 45-60 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the loaves comes out clean.
* The sunflower seeds in the bread may turn green the day after you bake the bread. This is nothing to worry about – it is only a reaction with the bicarbonate of soda. - The Star