Power-Packed Bean Bread

Submitted by Benthe Danish

"Puréed navy beans add protein and fibre to a carbohydrate-rich loaf that's not only delicious for sandwiches, toast and French toast but is the basis of our focaccia and pizza recipes. By Canadian Living Test Kitchen. Include bread-machine instructions and Foccasia bread, too. Enjoy.Prep- and cooking time does not include, rise time."

 

• Ready In: 55mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Yields: 12 slices
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 cup warm water, 250 ml
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast, 10 ml
• 1 cup navy beans, cooked or 1 cup navy beans, canned, drained and rinsed, 250 ml
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 25 ml
• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour, approx. 550 ml
• 1 cup whole wheat flour, 250 ml
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt

• Foccasia

• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper

directions

1. Bean Bread Dough:

2. In large bowl, dissolve sugar in water; sprinkle yeast over top.
3. Let stand for about 10 minutes or until frothy.
4. Meanwhile, in food processor, purée beans and oil until smooth; add to yeast mixture.
5. Using wooden spoon, vigorously beat in 1 cup (250 ml) of the all-purpose flour, the whole wheat flour and salt for 1 minute or until sticky dough forms.
6. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make stiff dough.
7. Turn out onto lightly floured surface.
8. Knead for about 8 minutes or until smooth, elastic and stiff, adding up to 1/4 cup, 50 ml more flour if necessary to keep from sticking.
9. Form into ball and place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in warm, draft-free place for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until doubled in bulk.
10. Punch down dough and turn out onto lightly floured surface; gently pull into 11 - x 8-inch (28 x 20 cm) rectangle.
11. Starting at 1 narrow end, roll up into tight cylinder; pinch along seam to smooth and seal.
12. Place, seam side down, in greased 8- x 4-inch (1.5 L) loaf pan.
13. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
14. Brush top with milk.
15. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven for about 30 minutes or until golden and bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
16. Remove from pan; let cool on rack.
17. Power-Packed Bread Machine Bean Bread: In order,
18. place in pan puréed bean mixture, water, sugar, salt, 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour and the whole wheat flour.
19. Sprinkle with 2 tsp quick-rising active dry yeast, making sure yeast does not touch liquid.
20. According to manufacturer's instructions, choose cycle for basic bread, regular crust.
21. Let baked loaf cool completely on rack.
22. Makes 1 loaf, or 12 slices.

23. Foccasia Bread:

24. Make our tasty Bean Bread Dough to shape into flatbread for sandwiches or appetizers, or to accompany your favorite Italian meal.
25. After first rise of dough, cut into 4 equal portions.
26. Roll out each into 1/2-inch (1 cm) thick circle.
27. Sprinkle cornmeal evenly over large rimmed baking sheet; place dough on top.
28. Cover with towel; let rise in warm draft-free place for 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
29. Brush with oil; press fingers into top to make dimpled effect.
30. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
31. Bake in bottom of 400°F (200°C) oven for about 20 minutes or until golden and bottoms sound hollow when tapped.
32. Servings : 4.