Wild Rice and Chive Bâtardes

Ingredients for Wild Rice and Chive Bâtardes

• 500g (or more) strong flour

• 1 tablespoon quick-rising dry yeast (from two 5g envelopes)

• 1 tablespoon golden brown sugar

• 2 1/4 teaspoons coarse kosher salt

• 240ml plus 2 tablespoons water

• 60ml buttermilk

• 240ml cooked wild rice, drained, cooled

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh chives (about 3 large bunches)

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray

• 1 large egg white, beaten to blend with

• 1 tablespoon water (for glaze)

How to make Wild Rice and Chive Bâtardes

Bread: Mix 500g strong flour and next 3 ingredients in large bowl of heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment.

Warm 240ml plus 2 tablespoons water and buttermilk in small saucepan over low heat just until instant-read thermometer inserted into mixture registers 35°C.

Add cooked wild rice and chives to flour mixture; add buttermilk mixture. Mix on low speed until dough forms coarse ball, about 2 minutes. Let dough rest in mixer 5 minutes. Replace paddle attachment on mixer with dough hook. Mix dough until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky, adding more flour by tablespoonfuls as needed, about 4 minutes.

Lightly oil large bowl. Shape dough into ball; place in prepared bowl, turning to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (dough will rise very slowly; do not punch dough down).

Let dough rise, covered, in draft-free area at room temperature 1 1/2 to 2 hours before shaping (dough may not double).

Line large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer dough to floured surface; divide into 2 equal pieces. Roll out each dough piece to 8x6-inch rectangle. Starting at 1 long side, roll up each rectangle to resemble torpedo. Use fingers to pinch seam closed and taper ends by rolling each loaf back and forth on work surface, forming bâtardes about 11 inches long. Transfer to prepared baking sheet, spacing 4 inches apart; spray with nonstick spray. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let loaves rise in warm draft-free area until almost doubled in volume, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Position rack in centre of oven; preheat to 232°C. Brush loaves with egg glaze; place in oven. Reduce oven temperature to 218°C. Bake until loaves are puffed and lightly browned, and sound hollow when tapped on bottom, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer loaves to rack; cool at least 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Cool loaves completely. Wrap in foil, then enclose in resealable plastic bag and freeze up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature. If desired, rewarm loaves wrapped in foil in 177°C oven about 15 minutes. Cut loaves crosswise into slices.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.