"saffron" Raisin Bread Recipe

Saffron Raisin Bread Recipe:

History and Fun Facts:
Saffron has been used in bread baking for centuries, adding a unique and distinct flavor to the bread. Saffron is renowned for its golden yellow color and is often used in traditional bread recipes around the world. This recipe dates back to an old-fashioned and "country" style of bread-making, where a sponge is set the night before and allowed to rise slowly. The saffron in this recipe not only imparts a beautiful color to the bread but also adds a subtle, slightly bitter flavor that some people love. Let's dive into the recipe!

Ingredients:
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 1 Fleischman's compressed yeast cake
- 2 tablespoonfuls of saffron water (made by steeping 1/2 tablespoonful of dried saffron flowers in boiling water)
- 2 cups of flour (for the sponge)
- 3/4 cup soft A sugar
- 1/4 cup lard
- 1/8 cup butter (beaten to a cream)
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup seeded raisins
- Approximately 1-3/4 cups of flour (for the dough)
- Melted butter (for brushing over the loaves)

Instructions:
1. Begin by setting a sponge the night before. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of lukewarm water, 1 Fleischman's compressed yeast cake, and 2 tablespoonfuls of saffron water. Stir until the yeast is dissolved.
2. Add 2 cups of flour to the mixture, stirring until the sponge becomes stiff. Cover the bowl containing the sponge and place it in a warm area overnight to allow the sponge to ferment and rise.
3. In the morning, the sponge should have risen and become bubbly. Add 3/4 cup of soft A sugar, 1/4 cup lard, and 1/8 cup of butter (beaten to a cream) to the sponge.
4. Crack an egg into the mixture and beat everything together until well combined.
5. Stir in 3/4 cup of seeded raisins and approximately 1-3/4 cups of flour, gradually adding the flour until the dough becomes almost as stiff as ordinary bread dough.
6. Set the dough aside to rise for about one hour, allowing it to double in size.
7. Once the dough has risen, divide it in half and shape each portion into shapely loaves. Place the loaves in oblong bread pans.
8. Let the loaves rise for another 1-1/2 hours until they have risen above the height of the pans.
9. Preheat the oven to a moderately hot temperature.
10. Brush melted butter over the top of the loaves, giving them a shiny finish.
11. Bake the loaves in the preheated oven, as you would bake ordinary bread, until they turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. This should take approximately 30-40 minutes.
12. Once baked, remove the loaves from the pans and cool them on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Similar Recipe Dishes:
1. Saffron Buns: These traditional Swedish buns are made with saffron and often enjoyed during the festive season. They are delightfully aromatic and can be topped with pearl sugar or raisins.
2. Saffron Rice Pudding: In some cultures, saffron is used to flavor rice pudding, adding a subtle floral scent and rich golden color. It's a comforting and decadent dessert option.
3. Saffron-infused Paella: Paella, a Spanish rice dish, is often flavored with saffron threads, giving the dish a vibrant yellow hue. The saffron adds depth of flavor and elevates the overall culinary experience.

Enjoy the process of making this old-fashioned saffron raisin bread and savor the unique flavors it brings to the table.