Medjool Date Whole Wheat Bread with Cracked Wheat

This bread has an interesting combination: medjool date provides a hint of natural  sweetness, whole wheat flour and cracked wheat add more nutritional values and anise seeds give the bread an unique aroma.

                 

Ingredients to make one 13x4x4 loaf:

Day one:

Preferment:
132g all purpose flour
43g whole wheat flour
111g water

½ tsp instant yeast

Mix all the above ingredients. Cover and let it sit in room temp overnight.

Soaker:
83g water
83g cracked wheat, toasted in a skillet until slightly browned

Mix water and cracked wheat. Cover and let it sit overnight.

Day two:

Main Dough:
207g whole wheat flour
119g all purpose flour
1 tsp instant yeast
223g water
25g sugar
25g unsalted room temp butter
2 tbsp vital wheat gluten
10g salt
100g dried date, pitted
1½ tsp anise seed, toasted in a skillet until lightly browned
All of the preferment and soaker

1) Mix and knead all the ingredients together for the final dough, by hand or stand mixer. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
2) Let it rise in a warm spot until it is at least one and a half times of its size.

3) Shape and put in an oiled loaf pan and let it rise again at least one and a half times of its size. Or almost to the rim of the pan.

4) Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 45 mins.

Wheel-Shaped Bread 車輪包

A recent trip to Hong Kong has brought back many memories....the place where I was born and raised has changed tremendously since my last visit there many many years ago.  The most noted change is the overwhelming dominance of jewelry, drug and cosmetic stores on major roads throughout the tiny city. It is reported that there are more than 37 jewelry stores in one segment on Nathan Road. It certainly reflects what drives the economy of Hong Kong.

Amid all these changes, I managed to find some familiar places in the neighborhood where I grew up--the old apartment and the kindergarten where I spent my childhood.

Walnut and Cranberry Biscotti with Cornmeal 義大利脆餅

After making a few "R" rated desserts (Ginger Ice Cream and Lemon Chiffon Cake with Ginger Mousse) for adult consumption, how about "R" rated cookies for grown ups--I mean biscotti. These twice baked cookies have a lot of variations and are good keepers, but they usually are gone in a short time at my home.

Biscotti with walnuts and cranberries

Biscotti means "cooked twice" in Italian. A few weeks ago I made the lean version crisp chocolate biscotti, now it's time for the real thing :). For me, it's twice baked as well ! This time it has all the butter in it to make it all crispy and buttery.