Black bread

Black Bread Recipe – A Delicacy at Home

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 12 slices

Black bread is a true delicacy, with a dense texture and deep flavor, perfect to be enjoyed alongside aged cheese or salted butter. This simple and quick black bread recipe uses accessible ingredients and can be easily prepared, even by those who are just starting out in the kitchen. Here’s how you can achieve this delicacy step by step!

### Ingredients

- 500 g rye flour
- 200 g white flour (type 650)
- 1 cube (25 g) fresh yeast
- 350 ml warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for a sweet note)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon caraway or fennel seeds (for flavor)

### Instructions

1. Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, dissolve the fresh yeast in warm water. Make sure the water is not too hot, as it could kill the yeast. Add the honey and stir gently. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until small bubbles appear on the surface, indicating that the yeast is active.

2. Mixing the dry ingredients
In another bowl, combine the rye flour, white flour, and salt. If you choose to use caraway or fennel seeds, add them now for extra flavor. Mix the dry ingredients well to combine.

3. Kneading the dough
Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients and add the olive oil. Use a spatula to mix the ingredients, then you can knead with your hands or use a food processor. If using a processor, knead at medium speed for about 5-7 minutes until the dough becomes elastic and smooth.

4. Proofing the dough
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, covering it with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

5. Shaping the bread
Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead it gently to release the air. You can shape it into a round loaf or a baguette, depending on your preference. Place the dough in a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

6. Second proofing
Cover the dough with a towel and let it rise again for 30-40 minutes, until visibly puffed up.

7. Baking
Preheat the oven to 220°C. Before placing the bread in the oven, you can make a few shallow cuts on the surface of the dough to allow steam to escape. Bake the bread for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

8. Cooling
Once the bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. This step is essential to prevent condensation and maintain the crust's texture.

### Useful tips

- Seed variation: You can add sunflower or pumpkin seeds to the dough for a crunchy texture.
- Flavored bread: Instead of honey, you can use tomato sauce or yogurt to vary the taste.
- Serving: The bread is excellent served with salted butter, goat cheese, or even an olive spread. A slice of black bread is perfect to accompany a warm soup on cold winter days.

This black bread recipe is simple but offers a rich taste and satisfaction in every slice. By experimenting with ingredients and techniques, you will succeed in creating a unique bread, perfect for your meals!

 Ingredients: Dough: 570g whole wheat flour + a little more for rolling, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon light brown sugar or any you have, 2 teaspoons dry yeast, 400ml warm water.