| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| 1 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast |
| 1 1/2 cups of warm water |
| 1/4 cup of molasses |
| 1 tablespoon of butter |
| 1/2 cup of yellow cornmeal |
| 1 teaspoon of salt |
| 4 cups of all-purpose flour |
| 1/4 cup of cornmeal for dusting |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 270 | 2.7g | 1.3g | 53g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 2g | 7g | 0.4g |
About Anadama Bread
There’s something distinctly comforting and homely about a freshly-baked loaf of Anadama Bread. Originating from the New England region of the United States, this flavorful bread offers a delightful mix of sweet and savory tastes. Its hearty texture lends itself impeccably to a wide variety of dishes, while its unique combination of ingredients ensures it occupies a distinct spot in the culinary world.
Discovering Anadama Bread
With a base of active dry yeast coupled with warm water, molasses, and butter, Anadama bread’s traditional recipe holds the uniqueness of including yellow cornmeal in its composition. When dusted with a bit more cornmeal and combined with regular all-purpose flour, this exquisite bread achieves its distinctive hearty texture and flavor, making it memorable with every bite.
The Versatility of Anadama Bread
Anadama Bread’s inclusion of molasses imparts a subtle sweetness that makes it an excellent choice for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. This bread can be enjoyed as it is, or paired with dishes such as soups and stews. The mild sweetness of Anadama Bread is also a delicious complement to sharp cheeses, rich pâtés, or even a thick layer of your favorite jam. Its sturdy structure holds up well when used in heavier sandwiches, or makes for excellent dinner rolls to serve with hearty meals.
As you can see, Anadama Bread bears some semblance to other cornmeal-fortified breads like cornbread or Polenta bread, both of which are valued for their similarly rich and robust textures. However, Anadama Bread presents a more complex flavor profile, thanks to the addition of molasses.
For those interested in the specifics of baking this hearty bread, many detailed instructions and video tutorials are available online. You may discover that the baking process for Anadama Bread is as enjoyable as savoring the finished loaf itself!
Final Thoughts on Anadama Bread
All in all, the taste, texture, and versatile nature of Anadama Bread make it an exceptional choice whether for beginner bakers looking to explore more complex loaves, or seasoned chefs seeking to reminisce on the comforting tastes of home-baked bread. It’s a slice of New England heritage, bringing warmth and good taste to tables worldwide.
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups of warm water
- 1/4 cup of molasses
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1/2 cup of yellow cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of cornmeal for dusting
Method
Step One
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it stand until creamy, for about 10 minutes.
Step Two
Stir in the molasses, butter, yellow cornmeal and salt into the yeast mixture.
Step Three
Mix in the flour one cup at a time until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step Four
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and turn it to coat the dough with oil. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in volume. This should take about 1 hour.
Step Five
Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it into a lightly greased 9×5 inch loaf pan. Dust the top with cornmeal. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise until doubled in volume, which should take about 40 minutes.
Step Six
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and bake the loaf for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
