New Mexican-style Slow Cooked Bread

Ingredients

In this adaptation, we infuse the traditional Croatian bread with the bold flavors of New Mexican cuisine. We incorporate New Mexican spices like cumin and green chilies to give the bread a smoky and spicy kick. Additionally, we use local ingredients such as cilantro to enhance the flavors and create a unique fusion of cuisines. We alse have the original recipe for Kruh ispod peke, so you can check it out.

• 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (10g) salt 2 teaspoons (10g) salt
• 2 teaspoons (8g) active dry yeast 2 teaspoons (8g) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups (355ml) warm water 1 1/2 cups (355ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30g) chopped green chilies 2 tablespoons (30g) chopped green chilies
• 1 tablespoon (15g) ground cumin 1 tablespoon (15g) ground cumin
• 1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh cilantro 1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh cilantro

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
3. 3.
   Add the yeast mixture, olive oil, green chilies, ground cumin, and chopped cilantro to the flour mixture. Mix well until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
7. 7.
   Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles and shape it into a round loaf.
8. 8.
   Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it rest for 15 minutes.
9. 9.
   Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. 10.
    Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Green chilies — If you prefer a milder flavor, remove the seeds and membranes from the green chilies before chopping.
• Cumin — Toasting the cumin seeds before grinding them will enhance their flavor. Simply heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant, then grind them into a powder.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the dough.
• Serve the bread warm with a dollop of New Mexican-style salsa or guacamole for an extra burst of flavor.
• If you don't have fresh cilantro, you can substitute it with dried cilantro leaves, but use half the amount.
• Experiment with different types of green chilies to adjust the level of spiciness according to your preference.
• Leftover bread can be sliced and used for sandwiches or toasted for a delicious breakfast.

Serving advice

Serve the New Mexican-style slow cooked bread as a side dish with your favorite New Mexican meals, such as enchiladas, tacos, or posole. It also pairs well with soups and stews.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some chopped fresh cilantro on top of the bread just before serving. You can also brush the crust with olive oil for a glossy finish.