Colorful Spring Bread Delight

This vibrant and delicious bread recipe brings a touch of spring to your table with its colorful layers and delightful flavors. Perfect for a festive gathering or to impress family and friends, this bread combines the richness of vegetables and butter into a beautifully soft loaf. It's a blend of savory and slightly sweet elements, making it versatile for any meal. The distinct colors come from natural ingredients like spinach, beetroot, and carrots, ensuring each slice is as eye-catching as it is tasty. The preparation involves creating four different doughs, each infused with a unique ingredient for color and subtle flavor variations. This bread is not only a feast for the eyes but also incredibly soft, fluffy, and appetizing. While the preparation might take a bit of time, the results are unquestionably rewarding. Whether you're a seasoned baker or trying something new, this recipe offers an exciting twist to traditional bread-making. Enjoy the process and the vibrant outcome!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 25 g fresh yeast
• 270 ml milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 small eggs
• Approximately 80 g butter + 50 g butter or margarine for glazing
• About 700 g flour
• 150 g cottage cheese (can substitute with thick sour cream or fresh cheese, or semi-hard cheese)

Vegetables:

• 1 small cooked beetroot, about the size of an orange
• 1 medium-sized raw carrot
• About 100 g spinach (frozen in balls, used 6 balls)
• 1 large onion

Spices and Additives:

• Paprika powder, turmeric (optional)
• Fresh dill, or other greens
• A little oil for frying onions
• Lemon juice, to maintain vivid colors

Preparation Time

Approximately 120 minutes.

Step-by-Step Instruction

1. Prepare the different colored doughs as the bread will consist of four colors.
2. Finely chop the onion and fry it in a little oil until golden.
3. Grate the fresh carrot finely, blend into a puree, and add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to retain its bright color.
4. Grate the cooked beetroot finely, blend, and add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
5. Blend the thawed spinach and add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
6. Heat half of the milk, dissolve the sugar and yeast in it.
7. Heat the other half of the milk and melt 80 g of butter in it.
8. Beat the eggs with the salt.
9. Combine the two milk mixtures and add the beaten eggs, mixing well.
10. Divide this liquid mixture into four equal portions.
11. For the red dough, mix one portion of the liquid with blended beetroot and paprika powder, then add flour to form a soft, elastic dough. Cover and set aside.
12. For the yellow dough, mix another portion of the liquid with grated carrot and turmeric. Add flour and knead again into a soft, elastic dough.
13. Prepare the green dough with the liquid, blended spinach, chopped dill or any greens you have. Add flour, knead and set aside.
14. For the white dough, mix the last portion of liquid with cottage cheese and fried onions. Stir and add flour.
15. Lightly oil each colored dough piece, place them each in a separate bag, tie them up, and let them rise in a warm place for about an hour.
16. Once risen, take the dough out of the bags.
17. Divide each colored dough in half as the recipe yields enough for two loaves.
18. Roll out each color into rectangular shapes; precision is not necessary.
19. Melt the remaining 50 g of butter.
20. Take the white dough rectangle, brush it with melted butter. Place the green dough on top, brush with butter again.
21. Continue with the red dough, brush, then the yellow dough, and brush once more.
22. Fold the right side into the center, then the left side over, flip with the seam down, and place in a buttered baking tray. Brush the top with butter.
23. Cover and let it rise again for 30 minutes in a warm place.
24. Bake at 200°C for about 30-40 minutes until lightly browned. Cool in the tray under a towel, then remove.
25. Slice to reveal the vibrant layers.

Tips

• To maintain color brightness, always add a dash of lemon juice.
• Substitute ingredients to match available greens or cheeses.
• Experiment with spices like turmeric or paprika to enhance the colors and flavors.

Nutrition

• Calories: Approximately 150 per serving
• Protein: 5g
• Fats: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 19g

Variations

• For a sweeter version, add a tablespoon of honey to the dough.
• Make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with soups, stews, or fresh salads.
• Serve with a selection of cheeses or spreads.

Best Places

1. La Panoteca - Known for its assortment of artisanal bread, including colorful options. Location: 123 Baker St, London, UK.
2. Le Pain Café - Offers a variety of innovative breads in a cozy setting. Location: 456 Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France.
3. Pane e Vino - Combines traditional recipes with modern twists in vibrant breads. Location: 789 Via Roma, Florence, Italy.
4. Knead Bread Bar - Famous for its experimental bread creations. Location: 101 Bread St, Sydney, Australia.
5. The Dough Room - A favorite for its diverse bread menu including four-color loafs. Location: 202 Baker Lane, New York, USA.
6. Pão’s Haven - Offers unique flavored and colored bread in a quaint atmosphere. Location: 303 Rua dos Pães, São Paulo, Brazil.
7. Brot und Butter - A haven for bread lovers with various unique recipes. Location: 404 Brotweg, Berlin, Germany.
8. Artesno - Known for its artistic bread presentations and vibrant loaves. Location: 505 Panificio Rd, Barcelona, Spain.
9. Ombra Panificio - Infamous for its creative and colorful bread assortments. Location: 606 Ombra Ave, Milan, Italy.
10. The Bread Box - Serves up a wide range of colorful and tasty breads. Location: 707 Loaf Lane, Toronto, Canada.