Recipe - Prune And Chocolate Bread

Three fourths ounce Fresh yeast or 1tbsp dried
yeast and 1tsp
; sugar
1 One half pound Strong white unbleached
flour
2 teaspoon Salt
12 ounce Stoned prunes
12 ounce Plain chocolate
Three fourths ounce Butter
1 Egg

1. Grease a 2lb / 900g loaf tin, two 1lb / 450g loaf tins or a baking tray.
Bend the fresh yeast with 3/4pt / 450ml handhot water. If using dried
yeast, sprinkle it on to the handhot water with the sugar and leave in a
warm place for 15 minutes until frothy.

2. Mix the flour and salt together well. Make a reservoir in the centre
with a wooden spoon.

3. Gradually add about Three fourths of the yeast liquid to the flour and mix well
together. (I find that different flours absorb different amounts of liquid,
so I never add all the liquid at once.) The dough should be firm and leave
the sides of the bowl clean. If it looks dry, add some of the remaining
yeast liquid.

4. Lightly flour a work surface and turn the dough out. Knead well for 15
minutes you should end up with a smooth, elastic dough.

5. Return the dough to a clean bowl, cover with a clean teatowel and leave
to rise somewhere warm and free of draughts for 1 hour, until doubled in
size. Meanwhile, chop the prunes, chocolate and butter. Beat the egg.

6. Turn the dough back on to a lightlyfloured work surface and knead again
to knock out the air bubbles. It will return to its original size. Add the
prunes, chocolate, butter and beaten egg and knead well for 10 minutes.

7. Divide and put dough in the prepared tins or shape into ovals and place
on the baking tray. Allow to rise for 10 minutes.

8. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220øC/425øF/Gas Mark 7. Bake the loaves
for 35 minutes.

9. Leave to cool on a wire rack. Serve warm the chocolate should be
melted and the prunes juicy.

Converted by MC_Buster.

NOTES : Makes 2 x 1lb / 450g loaves. I adore prunes and wish they were
taken more seriously. They are an excellent source of Vitamin A with iron
and fibre. The combination of prunes and chocolate is heavenly.

Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.