New Orleans Muffuletta Bread
Experience the authentic taste of New Orleans with this delectable Muffuletta Bread, specially crafted to complement the bold flavors of your favorite dishes, particularly our mouthwatering Po Boys. This rustic, sesame-topped bread boasts a perfectly crisp crust and a soft, chewy interior, making it the perfect vessel for meats, cheeses, and olive spreads. With a delightful aroma and a golden-brown hue, this homemade bread will transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant streets of NOLA. Prepare it with love and enjoy the journey of flavors it brings to your table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
warm water
1 cup ((110°F))
sugar
1 tablespoon (dissolved in water)
active dry yeast
1 (1/4 ounce) package ((about 1 tablespoon))
bread flour
3 cups (approximately, plus extra for dusting)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (fine)
vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons (softened)
sesame seeds
to taste (for topping)
Instructions
1
In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, mix the warm water and sugar until dissolved.
2
Stir in the active dry yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
3
In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, combine approximately 3 cups of bread flour, salt, and vegetable shortening.
4
Pour the yeast mixture into the food processor and process until a dough ball forms, about 5 seconds.
5
Check the consistency of the dough: it should be smooth and satiny. If it's too dry, add warm water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. If too sticky, add flour one or two tablespoons at a time.
6
Process for an additional 20 seconds to knead the dough.
7
Lightly oil a large bowl, ensuring the bottom and sides are coated.
8
Transfer the dough to the oiled bowl, turning it to coat all sides with oil.
9
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size, around 1 ½ hours.
10
Lightly grease a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
11
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
12
Shape the dough into a round loaf, approximately 10 inches in diameter, and place it onto the greased baking sheet.
13
Sprinkle sesame seeds generously over the top of the loaf and gently press them into the surface.
14
Cover the loaf loosely with plastic wrap and allow it to rise again until nearly doubled, around 1 hour.
15
As the dough rises, adjust the rack to the center of your oven and preheat to 425°F (220°C).
16
Once fully risen, remove the plastic wrap and bake the loaf in the center of the oven for 10 minutes.
17
Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for an additional 25 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
18
Allow the bread to cool completely on a rack before slicing to ensure the perfect texture.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Orleans Muffuletta Bread?
It is a rustic, sesame-topped bread with a crisp crust and a soft, chewy interior, traditionally used for Muffuletta sandwiches in New Orleans.
What characterizes the appearance of this bread?
The bread has a golden-brown hue and is generously topped with sesame seeds.
What dishes are best served with this bread?
This bread is an ideal vessel for meats, cheeses, and olive spreads, and it is specifically designed to complement Po Boys.
What is the required temperature for the water?
The water should be warm, approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why is sugar added to the yeast mixture?
Sugar is mixed with the warm water to help activate the active dry yeast.
How long should the yeast be allowed to sit?
The yeast mixture should sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
What equipment is used to combine the ingredients?
A food processor fitted with a steel blade is used to combine the flour, salt, shortening, and yeast mixture.
How long should you process the dough initially?
Process the mixture for approximately 5 seconds until a dough ball forms.
What is the correct consistency for the dough?
The dough should be smooth and satiny.
How should you adjust the dough if it is too dry?
If the dough is too dry, add warm water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
How should you adjust the dough if it is too sticky?
If the dough is too sticky, add bread flour one or two tablespoons at a time.
How much additional time is needed to knead the dough?
Process the dough for an additional 20 seconds to properly knead it.
What is the purpose of oiling the bowl?
Lightly oiling the bowl ensures the dough does not stick and is coated on all sides during the rise.
How long should the dough rise initially?
The dough should rise for around 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
What are the ideal conditions for the dough rise?
The dough should rise in a warm, draft-free area covered with plastic wrap.
How do you prepare the baking sheet?
Lightly grease a baking sheet to prevent the loaf from sticking.
What should be done with the dough after the first rise?
Punch it down gently and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
What is the target diameter for the loaf?
The dough should be shaped into a round loaf approximately 10 inches in diameter.
How should the sesame seeds be applied?
Sprinkle them generously over the top of the loaf and gently press them into the surface.
How long should the second rise take?
The shaped loaf should rise for about 1 hour until nearly doubled.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
Where should the oven rack be positioned?
Adjust the oven rack to the center position for even baking.
How long is the initial baking period?
Bake the loaf in the center of the oven for 10 minutes at the initial temperature.
When should the oven temperature be reduced?
Reduce the temperature after the first 10 minutes of baking.
What is the lower temperature used for baking?
The oven temperature should be reduced to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How long do you bake the bread at the lower temperature?
Continue baking for an additional 25 minutes after reducing the temperature.
How can you tell if the bread is done?
The loaf is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Why is it important to cool the bread on a rack?
Cooling completely ensures the bread achieves its perfect intended texture before slicing.
What type of yeast is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses one 1/4 ounce package (about 1 tablespoon) of active dry yeast.
What amount of vegetable shortening is required?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of softened vegetable shortening.