Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Eliopsomo me Anitho kai Melitzanosalata me Karydia / Olive Bread with Dill and Eggplant Dip with Walnuts



For the last six weeks or so, I've been baking a fresh loaf of bread at least three times a week. How, you ask? Just keep reading ...

... After seeing my grandmother regularly bake loaf after loaf of bread when I was a child and remembering how long she would sit and knead the dough, let it rise, knead again, let rise again, etc., etc., I was certain bread-making was not for me. Then one day I read a post lauding this new book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Then I read another post doing the same; and then another and another and another. Every post boasted of a bread recipe that so simply and easily produces delectable fresh bread, I was left with no other choice than to try it for myself.

Written by Zoe Francois and Jeff Hertzberg, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, has created a bread-making revolution and my husband would personally like to thank them for affording him the opportunity to enjoy fresh homemade bread on such a regular basis. Case in point: today's Eliopsomo me Anitho (Olive Bread with Dill), a loaf I made using Zoe and Jeff's Boule method with my own little twist. It turned out amazingly well and it literally took just a few minutes (five, to be exact!) of physical work to make.

There are an infinite number of things you can do with the book's master recipes, so get cracking: there's a ton of bread to be had.

P.S. I whipped up the version of Melitzanosalata (Eggplant Dip) you'll find below earlier today ... it was a great accompaniment to the warm and crusty slices of fresh olive bread.




Melitzanosalata me Karydia/Eggplant Dip with Walnuts

6 small, slender eggplants
2 cloves garlic
1 scallion
1/4 cup parsley
1/4 cup walnuts
1 roasted red pepper
Juice of half a lime
4 tablespoons olive oil
Roast the eggplants until tender. Slice the eggplants open and scoop out all the flesh. Discard skins.

Combine the eggplant, garlic, scallion, parsley, walnuts, pepper and lime juice in the bowl of food processor and pulse until coarsely mixed. Add the olive oil and pulse until combined (add additional olive oil to achieve preferred consistency). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with bread, pita or crackers.

10 comments:

Ivy said...

Have never tried melitzanosalata with walnuts but I am sure it matches perfectly and having some homemade bread with it sounds perfect.

Maria Verivaki said...

the bread looks brilliant - i also need a five minute recipe to tempt me into making bread...

Peter G | Souvlaki For The Soul said...

I've heard so much about that book, that I desperately need to get it. I love the dill and olive combo and that yummy eggplant with walnuts...brilliant thinking Maria!

Hopie said...

I've always been a bit afraid to get into making my own bread, but 5 minutes I could do :-) Looks delicious!

Peter M said...

I'm so glad you went & bought the book...best $30 I ever spent!

I'm waiting for the warmer weather so I can char some eggplants are the grill...one of my faves.

Elle said...

Isn't that book the greatest thing ever? It completely changed the way I thought about bread baking.

Yours looks wonderful!

Carrie Oliver said...

This book sure is making the rounds (no pun intended there). I might have to break my "no white stuff" rule with this book and your Melitzanosalata recipe.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I can only imagine the burst of flavours and the aroma of the freshly baked bread....

♥Rosie♥ said...

Your bread looks excellent and that dip sounds so good!! Lovely post and pics.

I must look into this book now ;0)

Rosie x

gastroanthropologist said...

That eggplant dip looks amazing. I don't typically bake bread at home, but this recipe seems so simple and I love the sound of warm, crusty bread right out of the oven.