New Zealand Almond and Fig Bread
From Rose Levy Beranbaum's book 'the bread bible'. This was my first attempt at making this boule. I loved the idea of a bread full of sliced almonds and figs and wanted to make this little boule after seeing the photo in RLB book. I thought it would make a lovely bread to serve with cheese and wine. The crumb is dense and studded with sliced almonds/on top slivered and dried figs. I did all my mixing by hand and chose the 'Ultimate full flavor variation'.
It tasted very nice except it was a little on the salty side for me. Also I think the photo in the book does not give a good shot of the crust under the slivered almonds which I think keep the crust light....which I do not care for such a light crust! The almond slivers start becoming very dark during the bake so you have to cover it with some foil as instructed. My almond slivers are much darker than they appear in the photos. This boule would make a pretty plater centerpiece and go well with cheese and wine. It has a whole fig in the center and when cut is supposed to resemble a heart! I just picked a large fig!
Sylvia
Comments
Yumm
... this must be amazing (with your suggested modifications)! It certainly looks like a perfect match!
David
Thank you, Mebake, chouette and David!
Sylvia
will have to give this one a try..maybe add some cheese into the bread too?
Very pretty loaf Sylvia!
Betty
Hi, Betty and thank you! My fig tree has been putting out a few figs everyday if the birds don't get them! The recipe calls for dried figs which worked out nicely. Next time I make this boule! I will add the slivered almonds on the loaf during the last few minutes when it's removed for the apricot glazing and then goes back in the oven to set the glaze!
Sylvia
Grill in panini maker and spread goat cheese on top. Serve with port or some type of sweet after-dinner wine. Ohhhh myyyyy! --- cake diva
Wow, that looks amazing, I love figs and almonds, thanks for the ispiration.
Tereze, Sydney
Thank you, Tereze! It is packed full! A whole gms/ cups worth of 'sliced' almonds mixed in very nicely in this little boule and compliments the dried figs.
Sylvia