Spicy Fennel Bread

The smell of this spicy fennel bread is still lingering in the house making me feel so cozy! A few years ago, a breakfast spot opened up downtown that started making spicy fennel bagels. As an avid everything bagel lover, I was not sure at first but was quickly convinced to give it a try. Oh my goodness, was I happily surprised. The spice given off by the fennel was perfection melted into the bagel. A bit later I moved and craved these bagels so I decided to make my own version, spicy fennel bread.

Step: 1

Combine water, yeast, and sugar in a measuring cup. Mix well.

Step: 2

Combine flour, fennel seeds, salt, red pepper flakes, onion, and garlic in a large bowl. Mix well until combined and any flour clumps are broken up. Slowly pour in the yeast-water mixture and stir into the flour.

Step: 3

Knead the bread by hand until dough is well combined and you have an even consistency. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest on the countertop, 10 to 14 hours.

Step: 4

Remove dough onto the counter and knead once more. Let rise, 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Step: 5

While bread rises, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Sprinkle the bottom of an oven-safe Dutch oven with flour, cover with the lid, and place in the oven while it preheats.

Step: 6

Remove the Dutch oven and carefully place the dough in the pot; cover with the lid.

Step: 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to bake until golden, about 30 minutes more. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool.

Per Serving: 117 calories; protein 3.4g; carbohydrates 24.4g; fat 0.4g; sodium 292.7mg.

The best flavour of the flour could make a real deal to your bread. Different brands do vary. Extra-strong or Canadian flours, which are naturally higher in gluten, may give you a better rise than standard bread flours – especially if you’re make wholemeal dough , which not always getting bigger as well as clear bread.

To make this in a dough , add all the menus to your breadmaker and follow the makers instructions.

A bread first rising can be done in the fridge 24 hours . 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 start it yesterday , then finish it off the next day.