Chocolate Bread Loaf

"Nine out of ten people like chocolate. The tenth person always lies." - John Q. Tullius

Be Calm and Eat Chocolate.

I read this recently and thought of Ak.  Not that I don’t think of him otherwise, but this was one of those moments which made me remember how a simple object like Chocolate, can provide instant gratification. A bad day, a headache, post drink, a visit do someone’s house, ill-health or simply, post dinner- All It takes is a piece of chocolate to make Ak happy. I wish that there was something as unassuming and straightforward and effortless that would be a solution to my happiness. Women are just that much more complicated I guess. Although I was quite fixated on chocolate in the early years, as I have grown older- for some reason, my love for chocolate has reduced and I can only eat in extreme moderation. The husband, the brother and the parents however completely compensate.

So, what if one could begin their day with chocolate for Breakfast? I had eaten something similar on a trip to Italy, and this recipe that I had seen in a book on Italian cooking, had been calling out to me for months. Freezing winters, seemed to be the perfect time to test it out and hence, on a cold winter morning, I set out to bake this Chocolate Bread Loaf. I had also been graciously sent some wonderful packets of instant yeast from across the seas by SIL, of which some were still left. The recipe hence, seemed to be good use. The bread turned out to be quite wonderful, almost cakeish- but not a cake. I do think, bread-making practice would have yielded better results, as I kneaded a bit too much maybe- But those, who have delved deeply into the art of bread-making; do give this one a try. You will love it.

This chocolate bread can be a wholesome Breakfast, if toasted and served with butter or cream cheese or even post dinner, with dinner or any other meal. Traditionally in Italy, it is served with Mascarpone or Gorgonzola cheese and a glass of red wine.

p.s Bread making tips would be more than welcome.

Recipe (slightly adapted from Italian Cooking Encyclopaedia)

450g Plain Flour

½ Teaspoon Salt

2 Tablespoon Butter

2 Tablespoon Caster Sugar

2 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder

2 Teaspoon Easy Blend Dried Yeast

½ Cup Plain Chocolate Chips

Melted Butter, for brushing

(Makes 2 loaves)

Sift the flour and salt into a bowl, and cut in the butter with a knife. Add the sugar, yeast and cocoa.

Gradually add 1 ¼ cup of tepid water to the flour, and gradually gather the dough together.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth. Cut the dough into half and knead the chocolate chips into each half until they are evenly distributed. 

Shape into rounds abd place on lightly oiled baking sheets, covered with oiled clear film. Leave to rise in a warm place for about 2 hours until it doubles. 

Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C. Uncover and bake for about 10 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 190 degrees C and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Place on a wire rack, brush liberally with butter. Cover with a tea towel and leave to cool.