Masala Bread

Masala Bread
By Ananda Lila devi dasi

Ingredients
Bread:
• ¼ oz or 7 gm active dry yeast
• 1 Tsp sugar
• 1 C warm water
• 1½ C all purpose flour
• 1 C whole wheat flour
• 1½ Tsp salt
• ½ C yogurt
• 3 Tbsp oil
Masala:
• 1 Tbsp oil
• ½ Tsp yellow asafetida powder
• 1 Tbsp finely grated ginger
• 3 hot green chilies chopped
• 1 sprig fresh curry leaves
• ½ C chopped fresh coriander leaves
• ½ Tsp red chili powder (you may add more if you like it to be hot)
• ¾ Tsp salt
Preparation
1. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup of water, sugar and yeast. Leave until frothy
for 10 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours and salt. Add the yeast mixture
and gradually add the yogurt, oil and the remaining water to the flours.
Working with your hand, form a soft dough. Cover and let rise until doubled
in size, for about 1½ hours.
3. While the dough is resting, prepare the masala. Heat oil in a pan over
medium heat. Sprinkle asafetida, add ginger, chilies and fry for 1-2 minutes.
Add the curry leaves, coriander leaves, chili powder and salt. Remove from
heat and allow it to cool.
4. Punch down the dough. Turn on a floured surface; roll into an 12-inch x 15 -
inch rectangle. Spread the masala over the rolled dough to within 1-in of
edges.
5. Starting from the longer side, roll up the dough. Now you will end up having
the dough in a rope shape with two ends. Transfer to a greased baking
sheet. Bring the two ends together to form a ring and pinch seam to seal.
Cover and let rise until doubled for 30-40 minutes.
6. In a preheated oven bake at 375 F/190 C for 20-25 minutes or until brown.
Remove the bread and cool on a wire rack. Cut in triangular sizes.
Serves
4-6