Seahorses!

Did you know seahorses can't curl their tails backwards? And that they graze constantly and can consume more than 3,000 brine shrimp per day?

My sister told me this bread looked like a seahorse. I guess? But the tail has to curl forward! Obviously she knows nothing about seahorse anatomy. 

I've been feeling very domestic lately. I want to cook a big meal and wear a cute apron. I want to have a dinner party. Can I feed you? Please?

This bread is made with semolina flour, which is the stuff pasta is made of. It's kind of an all purpose bread! Good for savory and sweet things...and it's pretty. Perfect for putting on the table during a nice gathering ^__^

Seahorse Bread

from Take a Megabite 

Ingredients:

bread -

• 2 1/2 cups semolina flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 t salt
• 2 T olive oil
• 1/4 oz rapid rise yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 1/3 cup lukewarm water (around 110 degrees F. I microwaved it for 45 seconds)
• pinch of sugar

topping -

• melted butter/egg wash (1 egg white + 1 T cold water whisked together)
• sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Combine the semolina, flour, salt and olive oil in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl. In a small bowl or measuring cup whisk together the yeast, water and sugar. Set aside for a few minutes or until foamy. Pour over the flour mixture. Beat together using the paddle attachment until a loose dough forms. Switch to the dough hook and knead for about 6 minutes or until the dough is stiff and not sticking to the sides of the bowl. (If you don’t have a stand mixer, stir this stuff together with a wooden spoon and pour onto a clean surface and knead until pliable.)
2. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl turning to coat to rise for about 90 minutes, or until double in size.
3. Gently deflate the dough and divide it in half. Shape each half into an 18 inch long rope. Working with one piece of dough at a time, mark the center of the rope and coil the end to the center. Coil the other end to make an “S” shape. 
4. Place the loaves on a parchment-lined or lightly greased baking sheet, and cover lightly with greased plastic wrap and set aside to rise for an hour, or until they are nice and puffy. Toward the end of the rise time preheat the oven to 350ºF.
5. Brush the loaves with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack.