Spinach Pecan Braided Bread Food

SPINACH WITH PECANS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and saute the onion until tender. Stir in the spinach and water, and cook until wilted. Mix in the pecans, and continue to cook and stir until warm.

CINNAMON PECAN BRAIDS

Steps:

• In a bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Add eggs and remaining water; mix well. In another bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Beat into yeast mixture (do not knead). Cover and refrigerate overnight., For filling, in a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Stir in pecans and cinnamon; set aside., Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; divide into four portions. Roll each into a 12-in. x 9-in. x rectangle on a greased baking sheet. Spread filling lengthwise down center third of each rectangle., One each long side, cut 3/4-in.-wide strips to the center to within 1/2 in. of the filling. Starting at one end, fold alternately strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour (dough will not double)., Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly before removing from pans to wire racks. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over cooled braids.

BRAIDED SWEET BREAD

Steps:

• Mix together water, warm milk, and yeast.
• Add melted margarine, sugar, salt and flour.
• Knead dough, place in bowl, cover and let rise in warm place 1 hour.
• Divide dough into 6 parts.
• Shape dough into 6 long pieces (length of baking sheet).
• On baking sheet, braid 3 of the pieces together like you would hair, then braid remaining 3 pieces together.
• Cover and let raise 1 more hour.
• Brush beaten egg on top and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

ZOPF OR BRAIDED BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix the warm milk, sugar, salt, butter, egg yolk and 200 g flour.
• Mix with the hook for 1 minute.
• Add the yeast and mix for 2 minutes again.
• Add the remaining 300 g flour and work with the hook.
• When the dough has pulled together and becomes smooth and elastic (after about 5 minutes) you can form the braid.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces and roll each piece into a 60 cm long cylinder (or 3 pieces of 30 cm). Braid the pieces together and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. This is the method that I use: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcPnB0Sgc-Q.
• In a small bowl, mix egg white and water and brush the bread with this mixture.
• Let the dough rest after forming for 90 minutes until it doubles in size.
• Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C for 20 to 25 minutes (heat and timing are basing it on convection oven), until golden.

SPINACH-PECAN BRAIDED BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oil in skillet and saute' onions until soft. Turn off heat and stir in cream cheese, spinach, pecans, and seasonings.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out into a 9" x 12" rectangle. Carefully transfer to a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. .
• Spread filling mixture in a 3" line down the center of the dough, to within 1" of ends. Make 3" cuts on the diagonal on either side of filling, at 1" intervals. Moisten the ends of each strip, and alternately fold strips at an angle across filling, tucking ends in well under the strip below, to form a "braid" effect.
• Let rise in warm place for about 30 minutes. Brush surface with melted butter and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Serve with German-style mustard if desired.