Description: Blaa is a soft and doughy white bread roll with a slightly crisp crust, originally from Waterford, Ireland. It’s perfect for making sandwiches or enjoying with your favorite spreads.
Preparation time: 20 minutes (plus rising time)
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serving size: Approximately 6 blaa rolls
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 500g (about 4 cups) strong white bread flour
- 10g (2 teaspoons) salt
- 10g (2 teaspoons) sugar
- 10g (2 teaspoons) butter, softened
- 10g (2 teaspoons) fresh yeast or 5g (1 ½ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 300ml (1 ¼ cups) lukewarm water
For the Flour Paste:
- 50g (about 1/3 cup) strong white bread flour
- 50ml (3 ½ tablespoons) cold water
Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
- If using fresh yeast, crumble it into a small bowl, add a pinch of sugar, and pour in a couple of tablespoons of lukewarm water. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes until it’s frothy.
- If using active dry yeast, mix it with a pinch of sugar and warm water in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, salt, sugar, and softened butter.
- Pour in the activated yeast mixture.
- Gradually add the lukewarm water and mix to form a soft dough.
3. Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for this step.
4. Let it Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
5. Shape the Blaa:
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 6 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a round roll and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Make the Flour Paste:
- In a small bowl, mix the bread flour and cold water to create a smooth paste.
7. Coat with Flour Paste:
- Gently brush each blaa roll with the flour paste. This will give them a distinctive floury crust.
8. Second Rise:
- Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
9. Preheat and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Bake the blaa rolls in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the blaa rolls to cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, they are ready to be sliced and used for sandwiches or served with your favorite spreads.
Enjoy your homemade Blaa rolls, a delightful taste of Waterford’s culinary heritage!