How to make a Portuguese corn bread?

Fri, 04/10/2020 - 19:58 - 
Iris

The correct name of this bread is Broa de Milho de Arcos de Valvedez because the recipe comes from the region Arcos de Valvadez in Northern Portugal. The Northern regions have never been suitable for wheat growing, due to their high altitude and poor soil. This traditional corn bread used to be the main food among poor families living in this area. I have been told that they even used to soak pieces of the bread in red wine for breakfast, like we eat cereal in milk. Undoubtedly this would make an interesting start of the day, however these days it is served later in the day with the aperitif.

Which ingredients do your need?

  • 300 gram Whole-Grain Corn Flour
  • 100 gram Bread Flour
  • 300 gram Water
  • 8 gram Fine Salt
  • 100 gram Sourdough Starter

Ready? Let's go!

  1. Put the corn flour in a bowl.
  2. Boil the water in an electric boiler and poor the water over the corn flour. Stir until all the flour has been hydrated. 
  3. Let it cool to room temperature for about an hour.
  4. Add the bread flour, salt and sourdough starter. Knead by hand until it looks like bread dough.
  5. Make a sphere-shape and press it down a little bit. Make sure it has a smooth surface.
  6. Spray the top with a bit of water and sprinkle some flour on top. Use your hands to spread the flour evenly.
  7. Let the dough rest under a cloth for at least 3,5 hours. You can also let it rest until the next morning.
  8. If you have a stone oven, that is great since originally the bread is baked at 260 ° Celsius (500°F). If not, like me, you put your oven at what you can. I put my hot air oven at 230°C and my bread turned out great as you can see on the pictures above and below. First pre-heat the oven long enough so it is really hot inside.
  9. Then bake the bread. Depending on the oven and the °C or °F you can set it, you will need to leave it in longer or shorter. My bread was perfect after 55 minutes at 230°C. If you can reach higher temperatures or you have a stone oven, the bread could already be ready after 25 minutes.
  10. Take the bread out of the oven and let it cool down on a rack. This may take some hours.
  11. Enjoy a piece with butter, cheese, olives and a nice glass of wine.

Share your smile, go yugenstyle,

Iris

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