Vegan Cuban Bread

Vegan Cuban Bread

Wow! Has it been a long time since I last posted.... Sigh ..... well here is a recipe for tasty Cuban Bread. It squashes flat but once you freeze it its not quite as "fresh" but I don't worry about that. It still makes great sandwiches,  Croutons, tasty bread slices for your favorite dip. No matter what this recipe is a award winner.

STARTER
3/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water
1/3 cup bread or all-purpose flour

The day before baking; add the flour and yeast, mix then add water. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and put in fridge for 24 hours. 

DOUGH

4-1/2 tsp instant yeast 

1 Tbsp sugar

1-1/2 cups warm water

3 to 4 Tbsp Olive Oil

1/2 batch starter (see above recipe) * I always double this recipe (at least)

1 Tbsp Sea Salt

4 to 5 cups sifted bread flour

Add all dry ingredients to your bowl. Mix together than add the wet ingredients

Mix well with a spoon. You want to get a dough that is stiff enough to knead. 

Knead until smooth and elastic, about  8 -10 minutes, adding flour as necessary. The dough should be pliable and not sticky.

Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it doubles its' bulk, about 60 minutes. Lightly deflate it. 

Ready to be divided 

Cut and ready to be rolled out

To form the loaves, divide the dough in 4 pieces. (This was a quadrupled recipe) Take your piece of dough and flatten fold the sides up and pinch them together really well.

Roll out each to form a 14-inch long tube, with rounded ends (sort of like a long meat loaf)

Ready to roll out 

Put 2 of the loaves on a baking sheet, about 6 inches apart. Cover with saran wrap and a dish towel and let rise in warm, spot until double their bulk, about 1 hour. If you want to let it rise at a slower pace, you can let it rise in refrigerator, let it sit for 4 hours instead. ( I always do personally)

 Preheat oven to 350 F. 

Lay a dampened piece of thick kitchen string or twine (about 1/8 " thick) all along the top length of the loaf. Bake until the breads are lightly browned on top and sound hollow when lightly tapped, about 30 Mins.

Cuban Sandwich