A golden-crusted, rustic round loaf with a perfectly scored 'X' on top. When sliced, a mesmerizing swirl of fresh green from the asparagus peeking through the white and properly airy sourdough texture gives it an organic and gourmet look.

Swirled Asparagus Sourdough

Name: Swirled Asparagus Sourdough
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: asparagus, 1 bunch ends trimmed and roasted; all-purpose flour, 3 cups; active sourdough starter, 1 cup; purified water, 1 cup lukewarm; vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons; salt, 2 teaspoons; sugar, 1 teaspoon

Category Brunch

Prep 40 minutes

Cook 35 minutes

Style American

Technique Baking

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: May 30, 2024

This creative twist on traditional bread brings the vibrant spring flavor of asparagus front and center. Roasted first to unlock its subtly sweet side, the asparagus is then incorporated into the dough for a striking green swirl throughout each slice.

Ingredients (for 2)

Asparagus - 1 bunch - ends trimmed and roasted
All-purpose flour - 3 cups
Active sourdough starter - 1 cup
Purified water - 1 cup - lukewarm
Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt - 2 teaspoons
Sugar - 1 teaspoon

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥🥦⏰

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Roast the asparagus for 10 minutes until tender and fragrant. Let it cool afterwards.
Step 2 - 🔪🥦🌪️

Once the asparagus cools down, cut it into tiny pieces and blend it until you get a smooth puree.
Step 3 - 🥣🥦🥖

In a large bowl, mix the asparagus puree, flour, sourdough starter, warm water, vegetable oil, salt, and sugar. Mix well until you have a dough.
Step 4 - 🥖👐⏰

Knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes until it's elastic and smooth. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 2 to 3 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 5 - 🥖👊⏳

Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf. Cover it, place it on a baking sheet and let it rise again for about an hour.
Step 6 - 🔥🍞⏰

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and bake the dough for 30 to 35 minutes, or until it sounds hollow when tapped from the bottom.
Step 7 - 🍞❄️🔪

After baking, cool your asparagus sourdough loaf on a wire rack before slicing.

Additional

For an extra touch, garnish the top of the dough with a few asparagus tips before baking, giving it a more artistic appearance. If you're not a fan of sourdough, feel free to replace it with an equal amount of regular yeast. Additional flavorings like roasted garlic or herbs can also be kneaded into the dough for a more complex flavor profile. This bread pairs wonderfully with a bowl of warm soup or salad.