Potato bread

Potato Bread

Preparation Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Difficulty Level:

• Medium

Ingredients:

• 1 large potato (about 1 cup mashed)
• 1/2 cup potato cooking water
• 1/2 cup milk, warmed
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading

Instructions:

1. Prepare Potato:
   • Peel and cut the potato into chunks. Boil in water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water, and mash the potato.
2. Activate Yeast:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the reserved potato cooking water and warmed milk. The mixture should be lukewarm (110°F/45°C). Sprinkle the yeast over the liquid and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
3. Make the Dough:
   • Add the mashed potato, melted butter, sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
   • Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
4. Knead the Dough:
   • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Add more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
5. First Rise:
   • Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
6. Shape the Loaf:
   • Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan. Cover and let it rise again until doubled, about 30 minutes.
7. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
8. Bake:
   • Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If the top browns too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.
9. Cool:
   • Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 12 servings):

• Calories: 170
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 250mg

Enjoy the comforting taste of homemade Potato Bread, perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply with butter!