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Aroostook County Potato Bread

 
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MichaelJ



Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 1
Location: Lyman, ME

PostPosted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 2:24 pm    Post subject: Aroostook County Potato Bread Reply with quote

Aroostook County Potato Bread

Aroostook County is the largest and northernmost county in Maine (in fact, Aroostook County is the largest county east of the Mississippi). The rest of Maine refers to it simply as “The County”. But if it's potatoes you want, Aroostook County farmers grow the biggest and the best – some are nearly as big as footballs. Potatoes are a staple of life in the north and, in yeast breads they really shine.


1/2 cup hot water plus 3 TBSP dry milk (OR 1/2 cups milk, scalded)
3/4 cup mashed potatoes
1 cup potato water
2 Tablespoon butter, softened
1 1/2 Tablespoons kosher salt
2 Tablespoon sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
5 1/2 – 6 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 packet instant dissolving dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)



Egg wash: 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 Tablespoon water

Peel and cut into chunks a medium Maine potato. Place into a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potato is easily pierced with a fork. Drain the water, reserving 1 cup. Mash the potato and set aside.

In a large bowl 1/2 cups of hot water and the dry milk (if scalding the milk heat until small bubbles form around the edge of the pan). Add the mashed potatoes and stir the potatoes and blend smooth. Add the butter, salt and sugar and potato water. Stir to melt the butter and then add the lightly beaten egg.

Add 3 cups of flour and the instant dissolving yeast and blend. Add remaining flour, one cup at a time, until dough comes cleanly away from the sides of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and scrape out the bowl. Lightly oil the bowl and set aside.

Knead the dough, using only enough flour to keep the dough from sticking to your hands and the board. The dough should be soft and pliable, but not sticky.

Place the dough into the oiled bowl, turn to oil all surfaces and cover with plastic wrap and a clean towel. Let sit in a warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes.

Pre-heat oven to 375° F.

Punch down and round into a ball. Divide dough in half, form each piece into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let bench rest for 15 minutes.

This dough can be made into either loaves or dinner roll or a pan of each. One-half of the recipe will make a dozen dinner rolls.

Lightly coat the inside of 2 loaf pans (9 x 5-inch) with shortening (or a 9x13-inch roasting pan).

Shape each piece into a log shape (or divide into 12 pieces) and place seam side down into the prepared pans. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Brush the tops of the loaves with the egg wash and place into the preheated oven and bake until are a rich golden color and have reached an internal temperature of 195 - 200° F, about 40 minutes. (Note: Breads will sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Also, dinner rolls will bake in about half the time)

Remove from pans and cool on racks at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes:
From: Stone Turtle Baking and Cooking School, Lyman, Maine
(www.stoneturtlebaking.com)
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srhcb



Joined: 07 Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Location: northern mn

PostPosted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just for the record, St Louis County in North Central Minnesota is larger than Aroostook if you consider combined land and water area:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_County,_Minnesota

After all, this is an Engineer's Board, which should include Land Surveyors? Wink

btw: I liked the recipe and intend to try it! Smile
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Dilbert



Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 1304
Location: central PA

PostPosted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 12:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

is it east of the Mississippi?
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srhcb



Joined: 07 Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Location: northern mn

PostPosted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dilbert wrote:
is it east of the Mississippi?


Yes. In fact the Mississippi begins at Lake Itasca, in Itasca County, which is located just to the west of St Louis County.
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