Portuguese Muffins - Bolo Levedo

These are tasty English muffin-like breads from Titia Teolinda in St Micheal, the Azores. They’re baked on a griddle, like pancakes.

Step: 1

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with a pinch of the sugar. Set aside to ferment, about 10 minutes.

Step: 2

Transfer the yeast mixture to a large bowl, and stir in the sugar, eggs, salt, flour, and milk until the dough comes together. Stir in the melted butter, then turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and knead for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Cover dough with a cloth and set aside to rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.

Step: 3

Divide dough into about 15 to 20 pieces, and shape them into flat round cakes about 1/2 inch thick. Place a cloth on the table and dust it with flour. Arrange the cakes on the cloth, allowing space for rising. Allow them to set for 1 1/2 hours.

Step: 4

Place the cakes in a heavy ungreased skillet, and cook over low heat. Fry the cakes on each side until golden.

Per Serving: 287 calories; protein 7.3g; carbohydrates 52.7g; fat 5g; cholesterol 47mg; sodium 123mg.

The quality of the flour can make a real difference to your bread. Different makers do vary. Great taste or Canadian flours, which are naturally higher in gluten, may give you a best rise than standard dough flours – especially if you’re make wholemeal bread , which not always getting bigger as well as clear bread.

To make this in a breadmaker , add all the menus to your breadmaker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

A bread first rising can be make in the fridge overnight . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great limit , as you can work it night before , then clear it off the next day.