This stuffed bread is easy & versatile. You can have your own special stuffing… just the way you like it. It is also a fun way to get children involved in the activity during their school vacations or on weekends. The braiding is so interesting too. You can have savory or sweet stuffing/filling. It is a great teatime snack or even enjoy as a light lunch or dinner meal along with a salad. It can be served as a party or any time snack.
I baked this braided bread with two different stuffing – pork chilli fry & egg masala. We enjoyed this delicious bread & I’m sure you will too. Give it a try & you will want to bake this very often! Enjoy… 😀
Ingredients :
- 1 cup Maida
- 2 tbsps. Curds
- ½ tsp. Baking Powder
- ½ tbsp. Sugar
- 20 gms. Fresh Yeast
- 1/3 cup Milk
- 1 tbsp. Butter
- ½ tsp. Salt
For the Glaze :
- 1 Egg (lightly beaten)
- 2 tbsps. Milk
Garnishing :
- Sesame Seeds/Poppy Seeds
- Freshly chopped Coriander
Procedure :
Add fresh yeast & sugar to warm milk & stir till the yeast dissolves completely.
Sieve maida, baking powder & salt.
Add butter & curds to the flour & mix well.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture & slowly pour in the yeast mixture.
Keep kneading gradually till a sticky dough is formed.
Knead well till it turns into a soft & pliable dough.
Grease the ball of dough lightly with oil & transfer to a bowl.
Cover the bowl with cling film & keep it in a warm place to rise (prove) for an hour or till it doubles in size.
When the dough is risen/proved well, deflate it gently with your palms & divide the dough into two equal size balls.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured board/surface in an oval shape.
On both the sides of the oval cut equidistant slits but retain the oval shape in the center. Fill the entire length in the center with the prepared filling.
Create a pattern/braid with the cut slits on either side of the filling so as to cover the filling completely.
Transfer to a greased tray & cover the stuffed braided bread loaf with a damp tea towel for another hour for the second rising.
You will get two loaves with the above quantity of ingredients.
Pre-heat the oven to 160C.
Before baking, prepare the glaze with lightly beaten egg with milk.
Brush the loaves with the prepared glaze.
Sprinkle sesame seeds/poppy seeds & some chopped coriander.
Bake for 15-25 mins. or till the top turns light golden brown.
Cool for about 5-10 mins. Brush with some butter.
Slice & serve with tomato ketchup/sauce/chutney. Enjoy !
