Recipe: An American Place Pepper Bread (Chef Larry Forgione) - On all my Holiday Tables!
An American Place Pepper Bread
1/4 cup milk
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1-1/2 teaspoons alt
5 to 6 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
8 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons cracked black pepper
"We have been making this bread since I was the chef at The River Cafe in Brooklyn in the late l970's and early 1980's. When I first started there, a friend who was an italian baker used to bring by peppery croutons made from his leftover loaves of italian bread. I loved the burst of black pepper flavor and so developed this quick brioche and added pepper to the dough."
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a bread hook, combine the milk, yeast, and sugar. Stir and let stand for about 10 minutes, until the mixture bubbles and swells.
With the mixer on low speed, beat in the butter, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Beat in the eggs, vinegar, and pepper. Add 2 cups more flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and continue to mix until the dough pulls away from sides of the bowl, adding up to 1 cup additonal flour if necessary.
Gather the dough into a ball and put it into a lightly oiled bowl. Turn several times to coat the dough with oil. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Lightly dust three 9 by 5-inch bread pans with flour.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it in thirds. Form each piece into a loaf and fit the loaves into the bread pans. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, or until doubled in volume.
Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees F.
Bake the loaves for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the curst is lightly browned and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Cool completely on racks.
Yield: Makes three 9 by 5-inch loaves.
Recipe Source: Larry Forgione
"An American Place Celebrating the
the Flavors of America"
Food Network - 11/14/97
I have been making this every since I found the recipe on food network and it one of my most TREASURED recipes. I hope you all try it and enjoy it. It is a breeze to make.