Honey Bread:A Tutorial

I came across this recipe and it was just too good not to share. This "Dabo" or Honey Bread is from Ethiopian breakfast table that is usually accompanied by "Shiro" a chickpea spread.
This bread is somewhat denser than the traditional american style breads but has a subtle sweet taste. Perfect for people who want a little something to satisfy that sweet thooth.
This would also be a great gift to give someone, especially warm.



{INGREDIENTS}

• 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary (dried)
  
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 packets active dry yeast (apprx 4 1/2 teaspon)
  
• 2 1/2 cups warm water
• 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 3/4 cup honey
• please note :when substituting fresh herbs for dried amounts need to be doubled. Dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor volume for volume, because of the water in the fresh herbs.

{TO MAKE}

Toast the rosemary in a small sauté pan over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the oil, yeast, and warm water and stir to dissolve the yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until foamy.

Combine the flour and salt and mound in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle. Slowly pour the dissolved yeast into the well, working in the flour with your fingertips, then knead the dough until a ball forms. Knead in the honey and toasted rosemary.

Put the dough in a large oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth or oiled plastic wrap and let rise to 1 1/2 times the original size, about 1 hour.

Grease two 9 x 4-inch loaf pans. Punch down the dough and transfer to a floured work surface. Knead for 5 minutes. Divide the dough in half and shape into loaves. Place in the prepared pans, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the pans in the oven and bake until the tops are golden, about 25 to 30 minutes. Invert the pans onto a cooling rack and let sit for 5 minutes, then remove the pans and let cool.

{FOR YOUR BREAD MACHINE}

To convert this for your bread machine, use the same ingredients and measurements. Just put them into the machine's bowl according to directions that came with the machine.

recipe by marcus samuelsson from The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa photo by Gediyon Kifle