Braided Bread With Spicy Mushroom Stuffing

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I recently came across a braided bread recipe which captivated my mind . Few days back I prepared this braided bread . This bread is known as Vienna Bread in Denmark and as Danish bread in the rest of the world. Traditionally it is stuffed with fruits n butter but I used a Indian curry with mushrooms and some Indian spices as a stuffing for this aesthetic bread.It is very easy to prepare and very delightful to look at.

The whole process requires two main procedures

1. Preparing the stuffing
2. Making the braided bread

Ingredients for Stuffing

• 2 cups finely chopped mushroom
• 1 cup finely chopped onions
• 1 tbsp garlic ginger paste
• 2 chopped chillis
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander (cilantro)
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• salt to taste

For paste

• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/4 tsp jeera
• 6-7 black pepper

Stuffing Preparation

Crush black pepper, garlic and cumin seeds together into a coarse paste and keep aside.

Heat oil in a deep bottom pan and add cumin seeds and fry till it splutter,add the above garlic mixture and fry for a min. Add onions and keep stiring and add garlic ginger paste, chopped chillies,turmeric powder and salt

Once the onion is golden brown add all powders and stir ,add mushrooms stir and cover and let it cook in medium flame till mushroom become soft .Make the flame to high to evaporate any excess moisture in it ..n ur stuffing is ready

Ingredients for Bread

• 2 cups all purpose flour + some flour for dusting
• 1/2 tbsp dry active yeast
• 1/8 cup luke warm water
• 1/8 cup luke warm milk
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg (optional)
• 2 tbsp butter at room temp
• 3 tbsp milk with 1 tbsp oil for glazing
• 1 tbsp olive oil for coating dough

( Click image for enlarged view )

Bread Preparation

Step 1: Making the Dough

In large a bowl yeast,salt n sugar nicely and add the luke warm water and stir. Let it sit for 15 min. The yeast will become foamy after 15 min then add milk and egg.

Gradually add flour cup by cup and stir it. Transfer to a floured surface and knead it to get a smooth and elastic dough.Shape it into a nice big. Apply oil to it and transfer it again the bowl,cover and keep in warm place to let it rise until double in volume. It will take about 1 hr 30 min.

After 1.5 hr grease a large baking sheet or tray,punch the dough to take the air out, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface,knead it lightly then roll out into a rectangle to a thin sheet 5 mm thick.

Step 2 - Making the braided pattern

Spread the stuffing in the center along the length.It should cover 1/3 width portion of the total width in the center.With a sharp knife cut 10 strips at a angle on both sides of the filling.

For a braided pattern fold up one end neatly then fold over the strips from alternating sides until all the strips are folded over.Trunk excess dough underneath at the end.

( Click image for enlarged view )

Step 3 - Baking

Shift it to the baking tray carefully, cover loosely with a dish towel and let is rise in a warm place until almost double in volume, it will take about 30-40 min

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, brush the bread with a glaze and bake until brown for about 30 min. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Your stuffed braided bread is ready

Note: You can choose paneer in place of mushroom stuffing but it should be dry.

I am sending this Bread to

Champa's Bake off event

Hearth n Soul

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Tags: braided bread, danish bread, stuffed bread, mushroom garlic stuffed bread