Saffron Tea Loaf

When I got to know about Sunita's this month's 'Think Spice' Event, I was glad and overjoyed. Oh ,not because i know multitude of saffron recipes ( i wish! ) but cos of this one recipe i had noted down which was gathering dust for a looong time. I cut down couple of ingrediants,made some changes cos dint want to use large qty ( which was what was given in the recipe ) since it was my first try and then sat and worried to why in god's name did i take snaps - cos i was sure I was not going to send this entry. But out from the Oven, the loaf was not at all bad! For a first try, and for making some baking changes ( u know how results vary so much even with a small change in baking! ), it was yummy and aromatic!...





I was so happy that I wanted to send it immediately! It tasted v good with tea...Of course its tea loaf! what was i thinking..But hey, i sure am going to try the it again soon with exact recipe and will post that one later :) Now to the recipe!




I have specified the original recipe and my changes by the side..your preferance:)

Ingrediants

• Generous pinch of Saffron
  
  
• 3 cups Lukewarm milk ( i used close to 2 cups )
  
  
• 2 tbsp butter ( i used 1 tbsp )
  
  
• 8 cups all-purpose bread flour ( I used 4 cups Unbleached bread flour )
  
  
• 2 pkts fast -rising dried yeast ( I used one pckt Rapid Rise Yeast )
  
  
• 3 tbsp superfine sugar ( i used 1.5 tbsp )
  
  
• 6 cardamom pods,split open and seeds extracted ( i used generous pinch of cardamom powder )
  
  
• scant 3/4 cup raisins ( i used 3/4! yup not half of it..i like raisins! guess u figured it already!)
  
  
• 2 tbsp Honey ( i used -yup u r right 1 tbsp :) )
  
  
• 1 egg,beaten ( well I cut this out completely cos my in-laws dont eat egg! instead i used little more milk)
  
  

Method

1. Crush saffron into a cup containing little of the warm milk and leave it to infuse for 5 min.



Rub the butter into the flour,mix yeast,sugar,cardamom seeds (or powder ) and raisins.



2. Beat the remaining milk with honey and egg, then mix this into flour along with saffron milk and strands, to form a firm dough.



Turn out the dough and knead it on a lightly floured surface for 5 min.



3. Return the dough to the mixing bowl,cover with oiled plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place until doubled in size.





4. Preheat Oven 400F.Grease 2 pound loaf pan.



Turn the dough out to a floured surface,punch down,knead for 3 min,



then shape into fat roll and fit in the pan. Cover with sheet of oiled plastic wrap



and let it stand in a warm place until the dough begins to rise again



5. Bake the loaf for 25 min until golden brown and firm on top. Turn onto a wire rack, and as it cools brush it with honey



Cut it into slices



and serve it with hot hot tea :)