~ "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." ~ "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" ~ "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." ~ "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."~

Friday, October 22, 2010

Pumpkin Garlic Knots




Pumpkin Garlic Knots... I will be on vacation for several weeks. So until then, I will leave you with one of my new favorite breads. Absolute favorite...
I love garlic. I like pumpkin. I love, love pumpkin garlic knots. These pumpkin garlic knots are so delicious, that I had a really hard time stopping myself from eating too many. Seriously.
I came across this recipe on (never home)maker's blog and instantly knew I had to try them. I always look forward to trying another bread recipe... as I can never get enough of bread baking. This recipe would be just perfect for this time of year. It is an uncomplicated sort of recipe, especially if you use instant yeast. Oh, and a good mixer:). It is only a matter of mixing the dry ingredients with the wet, and letting the mixer do all the kneading....and then of course, letting the dough rise. The fun part is shaping them...you can make all sorts of shapes, from the simple knot, to a "kaiser roll" knot, or to shaping them into breadsticks This bread is ideal for "dunking" into an herbed oil. It is great brushed with melted butter and any seasoning of choice, garlic being a popular one...But you can easily try a chive variation or even a sweet version with cinnamon and sugar. If you feel the garlic can be too pungent, try mellowing it out by cooking it in a bit of oil/butter for a minute or so.
This is a great little appetizer, a side or even a meal in itself. I am hoping you can give this recipe a try, as we absolutely love these. Another great recipe that needs to be filed in my "favorites". Please feel free to check the original recipe. Hope you enjoy....
Note: These pumpkin knots have a very mild pumpkin flavor...

You will need: inspired by (never home)maker's blog
Pumpkin Knots:
3 1/2 cups unbleached bread flour
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
1 tsp table salt
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 TBS honey
2 TBS olive oil

Garlic Sauce:
1-3 garlic cloves minced
olive oil or melted butter or combination of both
pinch of salt
dried basil
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl add flour, yeast, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl ( or large measuring cup), add water, pumpkin puree, honey and oil. Stir to combine. The mixture should be a warm( 110-115)....I usually add hot water , so that when I add the rest of the liquid ingredients, the mixture is just warm.
3. To the dry ingredients, add the liquid pumpkin mixture and mix(knead) for 5-8 minutes using the mixer dough hook.
4. Take dough and knead by hand slightly...just to bring the dough together. Place the dough in an oiled large bowl (or place back in the mixer bowl) and cover with a plastic wrap.
5. Let rise for about 2 hours or until doubled.
6. When risen, take a piece of dough and roll in the shape of a rope. Since the dough can spring back, I usually make all the ropes and then go back and tie them... cutting the dough as needed.
7. Preheat oven to 425 with the pizza stone in the oven....I am sure you can use a pan if you don't have a pizza stone.
8. Tie a knot and let knots rise until puffy or almost doubled. You can also make a larger "knot" similar to the way kaiser rolls are made:
a. Tie each strip of dough into a knot....leaving a bit of dough on the ends.
b. Take the end of the knot that’s lying on top( the right) and tuck it underneath and into the center.
c. Then take the end that’s lying underneath( the left), and bring it over the top, tucking it into the center.
9. Let the knots rise till puffy or almost dill doubled in size. Bake knots for 10 minutes or until lightly golden....this all depends on the size of the knots. I like to place my knots on a piece of parchment paper and then using a pizza peel slide it onto the hot baking stone.
10. Make garlic topping by mixing minced garlic with some olive oil/melted butter and basil
(or oregano or any favorite herb)... add some Parmesan if you wish. Brush mixture on warm knots...or place knots in a bowl and pour the garlic sauce on them. Toss until combined.
Serve warm. You can freeze the knots( without the sauce and re-heat later.... brush with garlic sauce and serve)....though they are best eaten when freshly-baked and slightly warm.

8 comments:

M Family said...

Yuuuuumy! Placing in my to be tried bookmarks (your blog tends to be the most marked lol!). Will miss you while you are gone, but hope you have a wonderful vacation!

Ellie said...

Aww. thanks M Family. Very kind of you...it means a great deal. So thank you!

In the meantime, I am hoping you can give these a try...hope you will like these as much as we do:). Have a great day!

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

These look really delicious Ellie! I'll have to make them for sure! Every thing I've made from you has been delicious, these I have no doubt will follow in that same line :) Have a fun vacation!

Sophia said...

Oh, this dish looks fabulous! I love the picture too! If you're interested, you should submit it to Recipe4Living's Tasty Thanksgiving Recipe Contest :)

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, i have some pumpkin i just roasted. I know what i am doing with some of it!

Monica Jones said...

Hi Author
Recently I visit your blog, you have really new receipe for me.
thank you
please keep updating

Sonia said...

I prepared last night and they were delicious. Thanks for the recipe~!

Ellie said...

Andrea, Thank you...so sweet of you!

Sophia, Thanks a bunch...

Red, I am hoping you will like it.

Monica, Thanks for stopping by....I am glad you are enjoying the blog.

Sonia, You are welcome...thank you for the feedback. Glad you liked the knots as well. I am
thinking of making it for Thanksgiving...