Cuban Bread Kitchenaid Recipes

Steps:

• 1. In mixer bowl dissolve yeast and sugar into warm water. Let the yeast proof until bubbly ( 5 plus minutes).
• 2.) Add 1 cup of flour and salt to bowl and mix with dough hook.
• 3.) While hook is going, keep adding flour a few Tb's at a time until a soft elastic dough is formed. You may use and the 3 cups of flour or more or less. After a soft dough ball has formed, let the machine knead for an additional 7 minutes.
• 4.) Stop mixer and let dough sit in bowl for 3 minutes.
• 5.) Form dough into ball and place in very lightly oiled bowl . Roll the ball around just so the oil is on the top of the bread. Cover with saran wrap and let rise , in a warm place, until doubled.
• 6.) Punch down dough and roll into a loaf approx 12 " long. Place loaf onto french loaf pan ( which has been sprayed with non-stick spray).
• 7.) Slash the top 3x and cover the loaf with saran wrap. Let rise for 10 minutes .
• 8.) Preheat oven ( by now i have already done this) to 400°F Place a bowl of boiling water on the bottom of the oven ( or on a lower shelf).
• 9.) Bake 25 - 35 minutes until loaves are golden brown.
• 10.) Invert and cool on rack.

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup warm water, 1/2 teaspoon yeast, and 1/2 cup flour in a bowl or measuring cup. Whisk the starter until well blended. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Place 1 package active dry yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar in a mixing bowl. Pour in 3/4 cup warm water. Let rest 15 minutes to ensure yeast is alive (bubbles will form on surface). Add lard and salt to bowl; add 1 cup of the flour. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated and dough forms a sticky ball. Add the starter (reserving 1/4 cup if you want to keep the starter going, if desired. Otherwise add it all.). Sprinkle most of the rest of the flour on the dough, reserving 1/2 cup to be used if needed when kneading.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until dough comes together in a firm ball, adding additional flour only as needed. Dough should be soft and supple with just a bit of tackiness on the surface.
• Place dough in a bowl and coat surface with a little vegetable oil. Cover bowl with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm spot to rise. Let rise until at least doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and sprinkle with a little cornmeal.
• Transfer dough onto lightly floured surface. Lightly press the dough into a rectangle with your lightly floured hands. Divide dough in half and press and shape each half into a long 1/2-inch thick rectangle about 12 inches long. Roll up tightly starting at the long end to form a skinny loaf. Flatten a bit. Transfer each loaf to a prepared baking sheet and dust with a bit of flour. Cover with a light, dry towel and let rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Cut a 1/4-inch deep slit down the top of the loaves with a sharp knife or razor. Mist loaves lightly with water.
• Place pans in pre-heated oven, one pan on lower rack, one on higher rack. After 10 minutes, switch pan positions. Continue to bake until loaves are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Transfer loaves to cooling rack and let cool to room temperature before slicing.