Tijgerbrood - Dutch Tiger Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) bread flour 500g (4 cups) bread flour
• 10g (2 tsp) instant yeast 10g (2 tsp) instant yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 30g (2 tbsp) sugar 30g (2 tbsp) sugar
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) lukewarm water 300ml (1 ¼ cups) lukewarm water
• 30ml (2 tbsp) vegetable oil 30ml (2 tbsp) vegetable oil
• 50g (1/4 cup) rice flour 50g (1/4 cup) rice flour
• 50ml (1/4 cup) water 50ml (1/4 cup) water

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 47g, 2g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the lukewarm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
6. 6.
   In a small bowl, mix the rice flour and water to create a paste.
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions.
8. 8.
   Shape each portion into a round loaf and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. 9.
   Brush the rice paste generously over the top of each loaf, creating a thick layer.
10. 10.
    Using a sharp knife or razor blade, make diagonal slashes on the surface of the loaves to create the tiger stripe pattern.
11. 11.
    Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crusty.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice flour — Rice flour is essential for creating the tiger stripe pattern on the bread. Make sure to use fine rice flour for the best results.
• Instant yeast — If you don't have instant yeast, you can use active dry yeast instead. However, you will need to activate it in lukewarm water before adding it to the dough.

Tips & Tricks

• For a sweeter version of Tijgerbrood, you can add a tablespoon of honey to the dough.
• Experiment with different toppings such as sesame seeds or poppy seeds to add extra flavor and texture.
• To achieve a crispier crust, place a small pan of water in the oven while baking the bread to create steam.
• Make sure to let the bread cool completely before slicing to allow the flavors to develop fully.
• Tijgerbrood is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Serving advice

Serve Tijgerbrood warm or at room temperature. It is delicious on its own, but you can also enjoy it with butter, cheese, or your favorite spreads. It makes a fantastic base for sandwiches or toast.

Presentation advice

To showcase the beautiful tiger stripe pattern, present the Tijgerbrood whole on a wooden cutting board or a bread basket lined with a clean kitchen towel. You can also slice it and arrange the slices in a decorative pattern on a serving platter.