Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Plaited Bread -- Sweet & Savory filling

After looking at this beautiful bread in a couple of blogs, I wanted to try one on my own. And here comes my version – Mix and match from a couple of recipes.

The coconut filling one reminded me of the coconut bun/dilkush which we get in the local bakery in Kerala, Though I missed the tutty fruitys.

Plaited Bread 10

Ingredients:  Serves – 12 to 14

Bread:

All purpose flour     --   3 cups or more as required.
Active dry yeast     --   1 tbsp
Lukewarm water   --   ¼ cup
Lukewarm milk      --   ¼ cup
Sugar                          --   1 tbsp
Salt                              --   ½ tsp
Egg                              --   1
Butter                         --   ¼ cup, at room temperature
Egg                              --   1 for glaze

Chicken Filling:

Chicken                    --   250gm
Onion                        --   ½ of a medium size
Green Chillies        --   2 - 3
Ginger                      --   ½ inch piece
Garlic                        --   2 - 3
Turmeric Powder   --   ½ tsp
Chilly Powder       --   ½ tsp
Garam/Chicken Masala  --   ½ tsp, I used eastern chicken masala
Coriander Leaves  --   1 cup chopped.
Oil                              --   1 tbsp
Salt                           --   to taste

Coconut Filling:

Coconut                 --   ½ cup
Sugar                      --   2 tbsp, or according to your taste
Mixed nuts            --   ½ cup, ground; I used walnuts, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts.
Cashew nuts        --   ¼ cup, chopped
Cardamom           --   2

Plaited Bread 11

Preparation:
Bread:

Combine the yeast, sugar and water. Stir and leave for sometime to dissolve and rise.
Mix the milk, salt, egg and butter in a big bowl. Gradually stir in the flour to obtain a soft and smooth dough.Keep the dough in a clean bowl, cover and let it rise. It might take around 1.5 to 2 hrs.

Plaited Bread 1

Chicken Filling:

Marinate chicken with ¼tsp turmeric powder and salt. Cook until done and shred the chicken pieces and keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan. Add the finely chopped ginger, garlic and green chillies. Saute until the raw smell goes off. Add the finely chopped onions,sauté until they are translucent.Add the spice powders and salt and fry until the raw smell goes off. Add the shredded chicken and quarter cup of water. Mix well and let the water evaporate completely until you get a dry masala. Add the chopped coriander leaves,mix well and keep aside.

Plaited Bread 2

Coconut Filling:

Powder the cardamom with 1 tsp of sugar. Adding sugar while grinding helps to powder the cardamom well. Mix together all the ingredients and Keep aside.

Plaited Bread 7

Assemble:

Grease a large baking tray. Knead the dough, transfer it to a floured surface and then roll into a rectangle. I rolled the dough in an Aluminium foil, so it was easy to transfer to the baking tray.  Also I managed to roll it without flouring the surface.

Spread the filling in the centre of the rolled dough. With a knife, cut equal number of strips on either side of the filling.  To make a plaited pattern, fold the strip from each side to the other, so that they form the below pattern.Repeat until all the strips are folded over. Leave it aside to rise until almost doubled in volume.

I filled the chicken for 2/3 rd of the dough and coconut in the 1/3rd.

Plaited Bread 3   Plaited Bread 4Plaited Bread 6 


Preheat the oven to 375 F. Beat the egg until fluffy. Brush the plaited bread with the egg glaze.

Plaited Bread 8

Bake until the crust is brown,for about 30 minutes. If the crust is get dark too soon, lightly cover the pan with an aluminium foil.

Plaited Bread 12

Transfer it to a cooling rack. Enjoy with tea.

You can preserve this in the fridge for 2 –3 days. Microwave in a closed container before serving. Ieven took a slice for lunch on the next day J

39 comments:

  1. WOW...looks wonderful...very well explained pictorials

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  2. Wow perfectly made ones....Luv both the sweet and savoury versions

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  3. hmmm delicious and yummy bread recipe Nithu.
    Kurinjikathambam

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  4. Both the version looks so yum n tempting ...

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  5. Wow..Nitha this looks so yummy. Love those plaits.

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  6. Beautifully made bread, loved both your stuffing especially the sweet version

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  7. Damn good. Love the step by step progress of the bread. Simply superb and has come out so well too. cheers Nitha.

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  8. wow i love both the versions....but my sweet tooth makes me tilt a little on one side....

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  9. U have something waiting in my space ...docheck it out

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  10. wowww..njan enthaylum sishyapedan theerumanichu :)

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  11. Prefect baked breads, looks inviting and fantastic breads for snacks..

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  12. saw this on shabs blog and wanted 2 give it a go..but bread making and me dont go well together..i love dilkush as well..yumm

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  13. So perfect!! Loved the filling too....Wish i was ur neighbor!!
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  14. Oh my ... looks so yummy .. lovely brown color on the bread.

    Vardhini
    VardhinisKitchen

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  15. Nitha, kidu tto..njan kure nalay ethu undakan vachirikunnu, epol kothy vannu..Pinne I have the same coffee mug :D

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  16. Beautiful bread..adipoli aayitundu,come out perfect,loved the filling.

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  17. wow..awesome!!bookmarked dear..will try it soon,loved your explainations..

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  18. I have no words to say, this just so perfect:)

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  19. Wow, very gorgeous looking plaited bread. Amazing click.

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  20. This looks so good...After seeing this in many blogs I had wanted to make braided bread....but now after seeing yours I think I will surely be making it...Your clicks tempt a lot...lovely recipe too...

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  21. Looks so good...love the filling.

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  22. Lovely lovely...dilkhush ente favorite aanu :-)

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  23. hi nitha..
    first time here....

    You hv got very wonderful sapce....
    plz visit my space when time permits...
    I'm ur happy follower now......

    DeepthiDigvijay
    Good Food Recipes
    Coffe With Me Deepthi

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  24. looks inviting and fantastic breads for snacks..

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  25. yummy and wonderful clicks ... glad to follow u ....

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  26. i heart the one with chicken filling!

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  27. nitha, ethu adipoli ayittundu...looks so beautiful and delicious....photoyil ninnum kannu edukkane thonnunnilla...will surely give it a try soon...

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  28. Look at these cutely braided bread !! Awww.....

    Thanks for dropping by Nitha...

    Sandhya's Kitchen

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  29. Love love making this bread n yours came out gorgeous looking! Both the versions sound yum !
    US Masala

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  30. I'm drooling at that first pic. Simply YUM!!

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  31. Dear Nitha
    How are you? This doesnt look an amateur's perception.:-)..perfectly professional. I can't make this with my limited skills. I like the filling and will try with rice or paratha.
    have a nice day

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  32. lovely bread...

    http://www.panchamrutham.blogspot.com/

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  33. Love the way you have shown the plaited pattern... Wonderful...!!

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  34. Beautifully carved bread!

    Happy to follow you..

    http://anuzhealthykitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/event-july-healthy-fiber-and-protein.html

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