Pan Peineta Mexican Comb Bread Food

PAN PEINETA (MEXICAN COMB BREAD)

Steps:

• Heat the first five ingredients (shortening through salt) in a pan until the shortening is melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
• Mix 1 teaspoons sugar, 1 tbs. active dry yeast and 1/4 cup warm water in a large bowl. Allow to stand until foamy.
• Mix cooled shortening mixture, beaten egg, vital wheat gluten (if using) and flour into proofed yeast. Add flour gradually and mix well after each addition. The amount of flour needed may vary according to humidity level. Dough should be soft and pliable, but not loose or extremely stiff. Remove dough from bowl to a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth, adding flour by the tbs. if dough is too sticky. Form dough into a large ball and place in a greased bowl. Turn dough over to grease entire surface. Cover and allow to rise in a warm area for about an hour, or until dough doubles in size.
• Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Divide dough into four even pieces. Roll each piece into an 8" circle. Make 3/4" cuts around the edge of each circle. Fold each circle in half.
• Lightly grease two baking sheets. Place two loaves on each sheet. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size. While dough is in it's final rise, preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Bake at 350ºF for about 25 minutes, or until light golden brown.
• Alternatively, you could make the dough in a bread machine on the dough cycle, following the recipe instructions for shaping, rising and baking.

SEMOLINA PUDDING (BURMESE)

Steps:

• Place the semolina in a large and heavy saucepan.
• Stir in the coconut milk gradually, keeping the mixture free from lumps.
• Add the sugar, put over medium heat and bring to the boil, stirring constantly. (For those familiar, this is similar to how you would make polenta.).
• When the mixture boils and thickens, add a small amount of ghee or butter at a time and continue cooking until mixture becomes very thick and pull from the sides of the pan. (not certain about exact cooking time, but with polenta, this takes 10-15 minutes).
• Add salt and ground cardamom and mix well.
• Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time.
• Stiffly beat the egg whites and fold in .
• Turn the mixture into a buttered 8 or 9 inch square cake pan or ovenproof dish and smooth the top.
• Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until they are golden.
• Sprinkle liberally over semolina mixture.
• Bake in a moderately slow oven 320-325°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until well risen and golden brown.
• Cool in the dish, then cut into large diamond-shaped pieces.

TEXAS PAN BREAD (PAN DE CAMPO)

Steps:

• This is from a recipe my grandmother use to make in Texas.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Stir together the dry ingredients.
• Blend in the butter using a pastry cutter (you can use your fingers) until the mixture is crumbly.
• Add milk slowly until a soft, not to sticky, ball of dough is formed.
• Turn the dough out on a floured surface and knead gently for about 1 minute.
• Flatten the ball of dough and roll out into about a 1/2 inch thick round.
• Place some butter (about a tablespoon) in a cast iron skillet.
• Place iron skillet in oven just to melt the butter.
• Remove the iron skillet as soon as the butter melts and swirl the butter to coat the bottom of the pan.
• Carefully place the dough into the skillet.
• Bake about 6 minutes, then flip the bread and bake another 6 minutes.
• Variations: Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of bread after flipping. Spread a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon on top after flipping.