A new bread~

The Birds Are Fed~

                   And that's a good thing~ A snowstorm here this morning~More Snow..And some said our winter would be easy peasy..not so much!


I received Mari Loggias new book for Christmas from a dear friend~ This is her second..I have mentioned her first here before..She is our local Italian Julia Child..Teaches classes..is charming ,beautiful and very talented..
I perused the beautiful book front to back Christmas day~

I was happy to discover that 2 of the recipes featured in this newest book are 2 of the recipes I learned to make in her cooking class~
I loved that class..you may have seen my post on it here~So long ago~ 2009..
You may remember that great salad Saveur published..here..or the olives  here..the polpettone..here..and a few other treats along my blogging posts..
She is definitely one of my very favorites along with Dorie Greenspan..Anne Lindsay..Jéhane Benoit..Josée Di Stasio..etc..
I also love that her books have so many local photos for me:)
Sandy Beach is there too~

In this book the first recipe I chose to make t..was her bread..w/ Anise and Bay leaves..it is wreath shaped..in keeping with the season..although it is featured in her autumn menu..(the book is comprised of menus..for the 4 seasons..)

It is lovely to look at..and I loved the taste~

My friend  Diane makes her pizelles w/ anise..and it's a taste I favor.
The recipe is different as you simmer the anise seed in water for 5 minutes prior to mixing all the ingredients..and it called for a lot of yeast! But it turned out just the way I wanted..I did make it all in the bread machine contrary to her technique..because I am hooked on the mixing and kneading in the machine..I just never bake in it..apart from the Gluten Free one:)

La Recette~

Panne all'Anice  e Alloro~

For the dough

 1 1/2 tsp anise seed
1 tbsp honey
1 cup milk
1 cup water
 7 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 1/2 tsp salt
4 1/2-5 cups unbleached all purpose flour
6 fresh or dried bay leaves

In a small pot combine anise seed and one cup of water
Boil for 5 minutes
Pour mixture in a medium sized bowl.
Stir in honey and milk
Let the mixture cool until just warm 105 to 115 F
Stir in yeast 2 tbsp of the olive oil and salt.
set aside.
In a large bowl place 4 1/2 cups of flour
Add the yeast mixture mixing with a fork to form a soft dough.

Turn bread out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 8-10 minutes..incorporating more flour as needed.

The dough should be smooth and tender.
Oil a large bowl w/ remaining 1 tbsp of oil and transfer dough turning once to oil both sides.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap...then a kitchen towel.
Let stand away from drafts in a warm place ap 1 hr..or until doubled in size.
Punch down dough and let rise another 30-40 mins.
Preheat oven to 400F.
Oil a large baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal.
Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and roll into a 30 inch rope..twsit the rope several times and shape int a wreath tucking ends under.
Place on prepared baking sheet.
Cut 6 deep diagonal slices and tuck a bay leaf in each..
Cover dough with towel and let rest 15 minutes.
Brush bread with an egg wash (1 yolk plus 1 tbsp milk).
Bake bread center rack ap 35-40mins.or until golden and cooked through.It should sound hollow when tapped on it's side..
Serve warm   dipped in fruity olive oil~

My Notes..
I did boil the water and anise seeds..  I stirred in the honey and milk..but then put it in my bread machine..it cooled down perfectly to continue adding all the ingredients..
and chose the dough cycle.
I then shaped the wreath and let it rest in a pre warmed  then shut off  oven for the 15 mins.
And baked as directed on  baking stones we keep in one of our ovens.
It's just right.
I find my bread machine kneads perfectly..without a mess.. the dough rises twice perfectly in a controlled draft free and warm and moist environment..
Then I bake according to instructions..
It makes baking bread so easy.
The little anise flavor and the look won me over~


The whole book is filled with menus.. recipes..lovely photos.. I have made and tried her carrot and lemon salad..and the cornish hens..DELICIOSO!


Keeper book..Feel fortunate to have in my favorites collection.
I can recommend it~

She's lost her eyes..her smile..and soon with all this snow she will be invisible~:)


PS re the BirdFeeders My Daughter Made~

My daughter made me a box of the seed feeders for Christmas..
I think hers are even firmer and better than mine yet our recipes seem quite similar:)

Here is a link to hers..
From a cute blog:)Saltwater Kids..cute cute cute..My daughter made me the gingerbread girl..  and a tulip..and a butterfly..
and these were the ones I made last year..they were posted here..In a Soul Food post~

Enjoy!