Amish Quick Bread (using a starter)

🍞🥖 Amish Quick Bread: A Delightful Tradition 🥖🍞

Amish Quick Bread is a delightful and heartwarming tradition that has been passed down through generations within the Amish community. 🌾

📜 History:
Amish Quick Bread is a testament to the Amish’s dedication to simplicity and self-sufficiency. It hails from the Amish way of life, which emphasizes hard work, thriftiness, and making the most of available resources. This bread was originally created as a way to use up excess starter dough, a common practice in Amish kitchens. Over time, it has become a cherished recipe, appreciated for its simplicity and deliciousness. 🏡

🥖 Components:

• Starter Dough: The heart of Amish Quick Bread is the starter dough, a mixture of flour, water, and yeast that ferments and develops flavor over time. This starter is the key to the bread’s unique taste.
• Flour: All-purpose or bread flour is typically used.
• Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the bread.
• Salt: Balances the flavors and enhances the taste.
• Baking Soda: Helps with leavening and creates a tender crumb.
• Butter: Provides richness and flavor.
• Milk: Adds moisture and a creamy texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the bread’s structure.

👩‍🍳 Preparation Steps:

1. Prepare the Starter Dough: Mix flour, water, and yeast together in a bowl. Cover and let it ferment for a period, often 8-12 hours or overnight.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, blend the starter dough with flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, softened butter, milk, and eggs.
3. Kneading: Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic. This might take 5-10 minutes.
4. Shape the Loaf: Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased bread pan.
5. Rising: Cover the pan and let the dough rise for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
6. Baking: Preheat the oven, then bake the bread at a specified temperature for around 30-40 minutes or until it’s golden brown.
7. Cooling: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

⏰ Time Needed:
The total time to prepare Amish Quick Bread can vary, but on average, it takes around 12-14 hours from start to finish, mainly due to the fermentation time for the starter dough and the rising time for the bread. The hands-on time for making the dough and baking is approximately 1-2 hours.

Enjoy the process of making this wholesome Amish Quick Bread and savor every slice filled with the rich flavors of tradition! 🍞❤️👩‍🍳🌾

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Amish Quick Bread:

Nutrition Facts (per serving, approximate values):

• Calories: Around 150-200 calories per slice.
• Total Fat: Approximately 5-8 grams.
• Saturated Fat: About 2-3 grams.
• Cholesterol: Roughly 20-30 milligrams.
• Sodium: Approximately 150-250 milligrams.
• Total Carbohydrates: Around 25-30 grams.
• Dietary Fiber: Approximately 1-2 grams.
• Sugars: Typically 4-6 grams.
• Protein: About 3-5 grams.

Health Information:

• Moderate Calories: Amish Quick Bread provides a moderate number of calories per serving, making it a suitable addition to a balanced diet.
• Low in Fiber: It doesn’t contain a significant amount of dietary fiber, so it’s a good idea to pair it with fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Moderate Fat: The fat content is moderate, with a small amount of saturated fat. If you’re concerned about fat intake, consider using healthier fats like olive oil or reducing the butter.
• Moderate Sugar: The sugar content is moderate, mainly from the sugar used in the recipe. It’s not overly sweet but still adds some sweetness to your meal.
• Protein: While not a significant source of protein, it contributes a small amount, which can be beneficial in your diet.

Note: The specific nutrition values may vary depending on the exact recipe and portion size. It’s always a good practice to check the nutrition label of the specific ingredients you use and adjust serving sizes accordingly to meet your dietary needs.

Enjoy Amish Quick Bread in moderation as part of a well-balanced diet to fully appreciate its delicious taste while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 🍞🥖🥗