French Onion, Garlic & Cumin Bread Wip

This hearty French-style bread is a comforting masterpiece, combining the deep savory notes of caramelized onions with the pungent kick of garlic and warm cumin. The crust is golden and crisp, while the interior remains soft and airy, studded with toasted pecans and rosemary for added texture and flavor. It is an ideal centerpiece for a cozy dinner or a perfect accompaniment to soups and stews. Simple to prepare with pantry staples, this loaf brings a homemade, rustic charm to any table.

Cuisine: French

Courses: Baked Goods

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 1

Calories: 405.8

Description

This hearty French-style bread is a comforting masterpiece, combining the deep savory notes of caramelized onions with the pungent kick of garlic and warm cumin. The crust is golden and crisp, while the interior remains soft and airy, studded with toasted pecans and rosemary for added texture and flavor. It is an ideal centerpiece for a cozy dinner or a perfect accompaniment to soups and stews. Simple to prepare with pantry staples, this loaf brings a homemade, rustic charm to any table.

Ingredients

3 Bacon Strips; chop coarse
1 Onion; peeled, halved
8 Cloves Garlic; sliced 1/8" thick
1/3 c Pecans; toasted, chopped
1 ts Salt
1 ts Black pepper; ground coarse
2 tb Rosemary; chopped
2 tb Cumin seed whole
4 c Bread Flour
2 1/4 ts Active Dry Yeast
1 Egg; lightly beaten
1/2 c Swiss Cheese; grated
3/4 c Water; at 120 degrees
1 tb Cornmeal

Directions

1
Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
In a small skillet, cook the chopped bacon strips over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside on a paper towel, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
3
Thinly slice the onion and add it to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook until soft and caramelized, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the sliced garlic for the last minute of cooking to prevent burning. Let cool slightly.
4
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar (if available). Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
5
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, salt, black pepper, chopped rosemary, and whole cumin seeds.
6
Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture. Add the cooled onion-garlic mixture, toasted pecans, cooked bacon, and grated Swiss cheese. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
7
Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour; if too dry, add water one teaspoon at a time.
8
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
9
Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it on the prepared baking sheet or in the loaf pan. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
10
Brush the top of the loaf with the beaten egg for a golden crust. Sprinkle with cornmeal if desired.
11
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the loaf is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12
Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 1

Amount Per Serving
Calories 405.8kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 31.5g49%
Saturated Fat 10.5g53%
Cholesterol 34.5mg12%
Sodium 1287.8mg54%
Total Carbohydrate 1.0g1%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 0.4g
Protein 27.8g56%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

For a vegan version, omit the bacon, egg wash, and Swiss cheese. Use plant-based milk instead of egg wash and add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

To ensure the cumin seeds add flavor without being too hard, you can lightly toast them in a dry pan before adding them to the flour mixture.

Store leftover bread in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze slices for longer storage.

The water temperature should be around 120F (49C) to activate the yeast without killing it.

Keywords: bread, french, onion, garlic, cumin, herb, rosemary, pecans, rustic, homemade, yeast, loaf, savory, crusty, flour, baking

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/french-onion-garlic-cumin-bread-wip/