**Dill Pickle Bread** is a unique and savory bread that combines the tanginess of dill pickles with the soft, tender texture of homemade bread. It’s perfect as a side dish for sandwiches, soups, or just on its own with a bit of butter. Here’s a recipe for you to try!
### Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup dill pickle juice (from the jar of dill pickles)
– 1/2 cup warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
– 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
– 1 teaspoon sugar
– 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup dill pickles, finely chopped (drained, if using pickles from a jar)
– 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional, for extra flavor)
– 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
### Instructions:
1. **Activate the yeast:**
– In a small bowl, combine the warm water and pickle juice. Sprinkle the sugar and yeast over the top. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly. This indicates that the yeast is active.
2. **Make the dough:**
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, and salt. Once the yeast mixture is frothy, pour it into the flour mixture, along with the olive oil (or melted butter). Mix everything together until a dough starts to form.
3. **Knead the dough:**
– Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. You can add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky, but be careful not to add too much.
4. **Add pickles and dill:**
– Once the dough is kneaded, gently fold in the chopped dill pickles and fresh dill (if using). Knead just a few more times to incorporate them into the dough.
5. **Let the dough rise:**
– Grease a large bowl with a little olive oil and place the dough inside. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
6. **Shape the bread:**
– Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a loaf or divide it into two smaller loaves. Place the shaped dough onto a greased or parchment-lined baking pan.
7. **Second rise:**
– Cover the dough again with a towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has puffed up again.
8. **Preheat the oven:**
– While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
9. **Optional egg wash:**
– If you’d like a golden, glossy crust, beat the egg and brush it over the top of the loaf before baking.
10. **Bake the bread:**
– Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If you’re baking two smaller loaves, they may need slightly less time.
11. **Cool and serve:**
– Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes before slicing. Serve it with butter, as a sandwich bread, or on its own!
### Tips:
– For a deeper pickle flavor, you can add more chopped pickles or a tablespoon of pickle juice to the dough.
– If you prefer a slightly sweeter bread, you can add a tablespoon of honey or sugar to the dough.
– For an extra kick, you can incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper into the dough.
**Dill Pickle Bread** is a flavorful and fun bread that brings together the tangy goodness of pickles with the comforting texture of homemade bread. Enjoy it with your favorite sandwiches or as a snack on its own!