Everyone's favorite no-knead bread recipe with a little flourish- rose water and cardamom. This boule will look so pretty and elegant for Christmas brunch or dinner or for New Year's. That said, you can and should make it anytime of year.
The rose water is understated yet there, in the way of flavor, like a soft floral kiss. The cardamom is aromatic, herbal and warming - a nice nod to traditionally Persian flavors. You can find rose water at most health food stores and on Amazon.
"If you aren't feeling up to painting your bread, plating it with a few fresh roses would also be lovely!."
Notes: Food coloring gel is by Wilton.
WINTER ROSE BOULE
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups warm water, 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast, 1 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. cardamom, 1 1/2 tbsp. rose water, red and green food coloring gel.
Makes 1 boule.
1. Before you go to bed: Whisk flour, salt, sugar and cardamom in a large non-reactive bowl. In measuring glass, measure the water, then remove 1 1/2 tbsp. of it. Add yeast, swish around, then pour over the flour. Add rose water over the flour.
2. Mix well to incorporate liquid into all the flour, the dough will be shaggy and sticky- that's perfect. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot, like in the oven. Go to bed.
3. When you wake up (10-12 hours later): Remove bowl from oven, then preheat oven to 450*. Place a Dutch oven with a lid into the oven for 30 min to heat up.
4. Unwrap dough- it will be expanded, wet, and bubbly. Flour your hands very well as well as your work surface. Gather the dough and let it "fall" out of the bowl onto the floured surface. Knead the dough for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Form a ball.
5. Choose one side and pinch pieces of dough, first stretching up, then swirling into a rose shape. Using a small paint brush, paint the rose red with a darker center. Add some green "leaves" around the rose.
5. Place dough onto a large piece of parchment paper, then transfer the parchment paper and the dough ball into the hot Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Remove the lid and bake un-covered 15 minutes longer. Remove to cool.
Note: Forming the rose with the dough can be challenging. You won't be able to make a perfect 3D rose...you are really trying to make a big swirl. The painting takes care of the rest. Keep in mind too, that the dough is very elastic and will shrink back a bit when you let go of it.