Jalapeno Pepper Cheese Bread Dutch Oven Style
This savory, crusty bread is best achieved using a no-knead method in a preheated cast-iron Dutch oven to create a thick, crunchy crust.
2 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons Sugar
2 Tablespoons Freshly Ground Pepper
1 Tablespoon Shorting
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Fresh Jalapeno Pepper
1 Package Dry Yeast
1 Tablespoon Salt
1 Cup Hot Water (120 to 130 degrees)
8 Ounces Pepper Jack Cheese, coarsely ground
Directions:
1. In a Large Bowl Blend in one cup flour, sugar,salt,and ground pepper and finely chopped Jalapeno Pepper, after removing the seeds. (the Cheese comes in later, after the first rising.) Add the hot water and shortening. Beat with a spoon 100 times. Stir in additional flour, 1/2 cup at at item, to form a soft, but elastic dough.
2. Knead with a strong push-turn-pull motion on a floured work surface for 10 minutes. Add more flour to control stickiness, if necessary.
3. Form the dough into a ball and place it into a lightly greased 10″ Dutch Oven. Place the lid on the Dutch Oven and allow to rise for 45 minutes. If it is a cool dry place 1 or 2 briquettes on the lid. You can test to see if it has raised enough by poking a finger in it. The dent will remain if it has raised enough. If prepared with a new fast rising yeast and at the recommended height temperature, reduce the cooking time by half.
4. Punch down the dough and work it briefly under your hands to press out the bubbles. Spread half of the cheese over the dough and fold in. Knead for 1 minute and sprinkle on the balance of the cheese. After a few minutes of tucking in loose pieces.
5. Press the dough into a 10″ dutch oven and allow to rise for 45 minutes or an hour. Dough should rise to double what it was.
6. Preheat Dutch Oven to 400 degrees 15 minutes before baking
7. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. Crust should be a deep brown and when tapped with a finger should be hard and have a hollow should. If it is not, then return to dutch oven for additional 5 to 10 minutes of cooking time.
8. Remove the bread from the dutch oven and place on a rack to cool.
9. Serve Warm!!
By: Dave & Sarah!!
Dutch Oven Checklist
___ Dutch Ovens
___ Lid Lifter
___ Lid Rest
___ Dutch Oven Trivets
___ Charcoal Briquets (Kingsford)
___ Lighter Fluid, and matches
___ Charcoal Starter
___ Spoons,fork, knife, can opener, cutting board, hot pads, vegetable peeler, and measuring cups and spoons.
___ Aluminum Foil
___ Cook Book
___ Long Tongs
___ Whisk
___ Gloves
___ Storage Bag
___ Paper Towels
___ Dutch Oven Scraper
___ Spray bottle of Vinegar
___ Spray bottle of Oil
___ Don’t forget the Food!!!
Jalapeno Pepper Cheese Bread Dutch Oven Style
