March 5, 2009

Matcha-Apple Loaf


I always wanted to have a home where everything was freshly made;where I knew exactly what went into my ingredients. Where I would wake up and start a batch of dough to rise while I went out to the garden to pick what I would use for the day. Yeah, I'm a little delusional, I guess. I'd still like to make this happen even if I only grow a small herb garden. Due to financial and availability reasons,fresh ingredients aren't as readily available. During college, I went through various stages of "culinary whiplash". Every other quarter, I would have a lab classes and I would stop buying groceries because I was eating in class and bringing food home. It's weird going from tasting foie gras, truffles, and lobster bisque to ramen noodles and the occasional takeout. During my last two years, I've tried to introduce more of my culinary techniques at home, but it's a bit challenging when you have limited space and limited pots and pans. It was quite restraining being in my own kitchen. Every now and then, i'll pick up a shark steak or whole duck to play with,but i've mostly stuck with the basics. Canned stock and frozen vegetables have become part of my repertoire, but I manage to sneak in the occasional loaf of bread.



Matcha-Apple Loaf

1 C.warm water (110° to 115° F)
1 Tbs. matcha powder
1 packet (0.25 oz) instant yeast
2-3 C. all purpose flour + extra for dusting*
1/2 C. powdered milk
4 Tbs. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 small apple,peeled and chopped

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, mix water and matcha.
  2. Add yeast and 1 cup of flour and throughly combine. Set aside in a warm place for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Add powdered milk,3 Tbs.sugar, salt, nutmeg, 1 tsp. cinnamon and last cup of flour to the matcha mixture. Mix until it comes together in a ball.
  4. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth(about 5 minutes). Place into a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Set aside in a warm place to rise for 1 1/2 hours.
  5. Mix chopped apples,1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
  6. Punch down dough and mix in apple mixture.(It's easier to mix in a small amount of apples at a time)
  7. Shape into your desired shape and let proof in a warm area for 30 minutes.
  8. Bake in a 400° F oven for 25-30 minutes.(Bread is done when you knock on the bottom and it sounds hollow)

13 comments:

Maggie said...

My college days were dry beans and rice with lots of falafel sandwiches, the cheapest lunch near my classes.

The bread sounds great. I've had matcha in cakes but not in yeasted dough. I have to give it a try.

Unknown said...

First time here! You have a neat space here. Love the texture of the bread. And your pictures look great. By the way, do you know what Nila means in Tamil(South Indian Language)? It meens 'moon'.

V.Streit said...

Maggie: The use of the matcha in the yeast dough was enjoyable. It wasn't bitter like matcha usually is and the flavor was very subtle. Next time I make it, I may have to experiment with adding more matcha.

Divya: Thank you for stopping by! The bread was great. Not too sweet.

No, I did not know that.Good to know tho. Thanks:) In tagalog, nila is "their".

Anonymous said...

This apple bread sounds really delicious! In the fall we get this apple bread from our shopping store that we really love, and I would love to make an apple bread at home sometime.

Angie's Recipes said...

Another matcha fan! I love almost all the tea-flavoured food.
Nila, I assume that you are from the Philippines, since you speak tagalog. Love to see some of your desserts from the Philippines.

Thank you again for the visit!
Sorry for visiting you and other friends often enough to support your guys, as I have been "fighting" hard these days with people who stole my contents and pictures (not just one or two, but dozens!!! :-(((( ) ......

V.Streit said...

angie: It seems like people are stealing a lot of content lately. Shame! Sorry, they are stealing your stuff. Hopefully, you can get it worked out.

I'm not from the Philippines,but my mom is from cebu. I understand tagalog more than I can speak it, but I'm trying to teach myself.I'll have to steal some of my mom's recipes and post them.

Lori said...

This looks so good. I must give this a try!

The Duo Dishes said...

We've seen green tea pop up in many flavor combinations. Something about apple seems best.

test it comm said...

That bread looks amazing! I bet it smelled great while baking!

V.Streit said...

Lori: I hope you enjoy!

Duo dishes: Green tea really does go well with apple. Not sure why.

Kevin: Yeah, someone stopped by to give me some papers and they stood there. I asked them if they needed anything else and they said it smelled like home and asked if I was baking bread.I like to keep my windows open when I'm baking. :P

Anonymous said...

This looks beautiful! Nothing better than homemade bread.

Angie's Recipes said...

Nila, I just noticed that I wrote "Sorry for(NOT) visiting you and other friends often enough to support your guys...." :-)))) but I guess you've figured it out....
I was in Manila years ago and tried some of the desserts there and they are unforgettable.
I have no problem for people who like to use my recipes and photos, afterall, what's fun if not to share? But they should not have scratched out my name and reproduced my photos and claimed theirs..... :-(((

Sara said...

What a beautiful bread, the matcha is such an unique choice!

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