How to make tiger bread
Tiger bread, also known as Dutch crunch or giraffe bread, is a unique type of bread that features a signature crunchy, crackly crust with a soft and fluffy interior. The distinct appearance of tiger bread comes from its characteristic pattern on the crust, resembling the stripes of a tiger or the spots of a giraffe.
Making tiger bread at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Although it may look complicated, it is actually a simple process that requires basic ingredients and a bit of creativity. This article will guide you through the steps of making your own delicious tiger bread from scratch.
Step 1: Making the Dough
To start, you will need to prepare the dough. In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, water, yeast, salt, sugar, and vegetable oil. Mix everything together until a shaggy dough forms. Then, transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Pro Tip: You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough more easily.
Preparing the Dough
In order to make delicious tiger bread, it is important to prepare the dough correctly. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Mixing the Ingredients
Start by measuring out the required amount of bread flour and placing it in a large mixing bowl. Add in the yeast, sugar, salt, and water.
Strong and high protein bread flour is recommended for its gluten content. The yeast helps the dough rise, while the sugar and salt contribute to the overall flavor. Mix the ingredients together using a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Kneading the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and begin kneading it with your hands. Kneading helps develop the gluten in the dough, giving the bread its characteristic chewy texture. Use a folding and pushing motion, turning the dough occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. You may need to add additional flour if the dough is too sticky.
Tip: To check if the dough is kneaded enough, perform the windowpane test. Take a small portion of the dough and stretch it gently. If the dough becomes thin and translucent without breaking, then it is ready for the next step.
3. Allowing the Dough to Rise
Place the kneaded dough back into the mixing bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Set it aside in a warm and draft-free area to rise. The dough should double in size, which usually takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the room temperature.
Remember: Yeast is a living organism and requires a warm environment to thrive. It is important to keep it away from chilly drafts to prevent deflation of the dough.
After the dough has risen, it is ready for the next steps in the tiger bread-making process.
Gathering the Ingredients
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Warm water | 1 cup |
| Yeast | 2 1/4 teaspoons |
| Sugar | 1 teaspoon |
| Plain flour | 3 cups |
| Rice flour | 1/2 cup |
| Salt | 1 1/2 teaspoons |
| Water | 1/4 cup |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
Before you start making tiger bread, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:
Warm water
You’ll need 1 cup of warm water. Make sure it’s not too hot or too cold, as the temperature is crucial for activating the yeast.
Yeast
You’ll need 2 1/4 teaspoons of yeast. This is the leavening agent that will help the bread rise.
Along with the warm water, dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar to activate the yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Flour
You’ll need 3 cups of plain flour and 1/2 cup of rice flour. The combination of these two types of flour creates the distinct texture and appearance of tiger bread.
Salt
You’ll need 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt to enhance the flavor of the bread. Make sure to evenly distribute it throughout the dough.
In addition, you’ll need 1/4 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to add moisture and richness to the dough.
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you’re ready to move on to the next step: preparing the dough.
Mixing the Ingredients
Before you can start baking your tiger bread, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here is what you will need:
For the dough:
- 500g strong white flour
- 7g fast-action yeast
- 10g salt
- 25g caster sugar
- 325ml warm water
For the topping:
- 5g fast-action yeast
- 15ml warm water
- 10g white rice flour
- 5g sesame oil
- 5g sugar
Instructions:
1. Start by combining the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix well with a spoon or your hands.
2. Gradually add the warm water to the dry ingredients while stirring. Continue stirring until a dough forms.
3. Once the dough has come together, transfer it to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes. This will help to develop the gluten in the dough and create a light and airy texture.
4. Place the kneaded dough in a clean, greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
5. While the dough is rising, prepare the topping. In a small bowl, mix together the yeast and warm water. Allow it to sit for a few minutes until the yeast has dissolved.
6. Add the rice flour, sesame oil, and sugar to the yeast mixture. Stir until well combined.
7. Once the dough has finished rising, punch it down to deflate it. Transfer it to a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
8. Use a pastry brush to evenly spread the topping mixture over the surface of the dough. Make sure to cover it completely.
9. Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) and let the bread rest for another 15 minutes.
10. Bake the tiger bread in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
11. Once the bread is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Now you’re ready to enjoy your homemade tiger bread!
Baking the Bread
Now that the dough is ready, it’s time to start baking the tiger bread. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Brush the top of each dough ball with a thin layer of rice paste mixture. Make sure to cover the entire surface.
- Using a sharp knife or a blade, make parallel, evenly spaced diagonal cuts across the top of each dough ball.
- Place the dough on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F) and allow it to fully preheat before baking the bread.
- Place the baking tray with the dough into the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Baking the tiger bread may take some practice to achieve the perfect results, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t turn out exactly as expected. Keep experimenting with the rice paste mixture and baking time until you find the perfect combination to achieve the characteristic cracked crust and soft interior of tiger bread.
Shaping the Dough
After your dough has risen, it’s time to shape it into the distinctive tiger bread shape. Here’s how to do it:
1. Divide the dough: Divide the dough into 2 equal portions using a sharp knife or a bench scraper.
2. Roll out: Take one portion of the dough and roll it out into a rectangle shape, about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Fold the dough: Fold the rectangle dough in thirds, like you would fold a letter, so it becomes a smaller rectangle shape. Press down gently to seal the edges.
4. Repeat rolling and folding: Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the second portion of the dough.
5. Score the bread: Take a sharp knife and make 4-5 diagonal cuts on the top of each folded dough to create the signature “tiger” pattern.
6. Proofing: Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
7. Baking: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Once the dough has finished proofing, place it in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crusty.
Once the tiger bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Applying the Paste
Once the dough has finished rising, it’s time to apply the distinctive paste that gives tiger bread its signature appearance. The paste creates a crackled pattern on the crust, resembling a tiger’s stripes.
To make the paste, combine equal parts of rice flour, bread flour, vegetable oil, and water in a bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
Using a brush or a spoon, evenly spread the paste over the surface of the dough. Make sure to cover the entire loaf, including the sides.
You can be creative with the application, as the pattern of the cracks will depend on how you coat the dough with the paste. Pro tip: For a bolder stripe pattern, apply a thicker layer of paste.
Leave the loaf to rest for about 10 minutes to allow the paste to slightly dry and crackle.
Note: Be aware that the paste may cause the dough to deflate slightly, but this is normal and won’t affect the final result.
Baking and Serving
Once the tiger bread has finished baking, it is important to let it cool completely on a wire rack before serving. This will ensure that the crust remains crispy and the inside stays soft and fluffy.
To serve the tiger bread, you can slice it horizontally or vertically, depending on your preference. It is traditionally eaten as a sandwich bread, so slicing it horizontally will allow you to create perfect tiger bread sandwiches.
The crust of the tiger bread is known for its unique crackly appearance and delicious flavor. It adds a nice crunch to every bite. The inside of the bread is soft and slightly chewy, making it a perfect base for your favorite fillings.
Tiger bread pairs well with a variety of ingredients. You can use it to make classic sandwiches like ham and cheese, or get creative with different combinations like grilled vegetables or roasted turkey with cranberry sauce.
To enhance the flavor of the tiger bread, you can also spread some butter or mayonnaise on the crust before adding your fillings. This will add richness and a creamy texture to your sandwich.
| Tiger Bread Serving Suggestions | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Ham and Cheese Sandwich: Layer thinly sliced ham and your favorite cheese between slices of tiger bread. Add lettuce, tomato, and avocado for extra freshness. |
| 2. | Grilled Vegetable Sandwich: Grill zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, then stack them on tiger bread. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and add some fresh basil leaves. |
| 3. | Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich: Spread cranberry sauce on tiger bread. Layer sliced turkey, stuffing, and arugula. Serve with a side of gravy for dipping. |
| 4. | Caprese Sandwich: Spread pesto on tiger bread. Layer sliced mozzarella, tomato, and fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for an extra touch of sweetness. |
With its unique appearance and delicious taste, tiger bread is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you enjoy it as a simple sandwich or get creative with your combinations, this bread will add an exciting twist to your meals.
Baking the Bread
Once the dough has completed its first rise and doubled in size, it’s time to shape and bake the tiger bread.
Shaping the Dough
Begin by turning out the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into smaller pieces, depending on the desired size of the loaves. This recipe will yield one large loaf or two medium-sized loaves.
Shape each piece of dough into a round or oval shape, tucking the edges underneath to create a smooth and tight surface. Place the shaped loaves onto a lined baking tray, making sure to leave enough space between them to allow for further rising.
Baking Process
Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) and allow it to reach the desired temperature before baking the loaves.
Once the oven is preheated, mist the surface of each shaped loaf lightly with water using a spray bottle. This step helps to create the distinctive cracked surface of tiger bread.
Next, prepare the topping mixture by combining the rice flour, sesame oil, sugar, and yeast extract. Spread this mixture evenly over the surface of each loaf, ensuring full coverage.
Place the baking tray with the shaped and topped loaves into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Once the loaves are baked, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The tiger bread is now ready to be enjoyed!
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