Bread is one of my favorite things to make when I have the time and every spring, I try to make these Wild Nettle Bread rolls. When I make this bread, I tend to make a morning of it – I take a basket and some thick gloves and I pick some wild nettles. Once I bring them home, I pour boiling water over them to remove the sting. Once drained, I choose 6 big leaves for the top of the rolls and I discard the stems and chop the leaves. I always make these rolls to accompany my Wild garlic & nettle soup.
This recipe is quite easy to make too. It’s pretty straightforward two rise bread dough, with nettle leaves to add character and colour. Once the dough has risen for the second time, brush each of the rolls with beaten egg. Place a nettle leaf on top of each roll and brush again with the egg to ensure the leaf sticks. Bake in the oven and enjoy!
To make the Wild Nettle Bread, you will need the following ingredients:
Mix 1 teaspoon of yeast in a large bowl with 500 grams of strong white flour and a teaspoon of salt together in a large bowl.
Add 350 ml of warm water, 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the chopped nettles and mix the ingredients together well to form a soft dough.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Knead for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Oil a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl. Cover and leave to rise for 2 hours until the dough has doubled in size.
Once the dough has doubled in size, divide into 6 balls and shape into rolls. Place them on a lightly greased and lined with parchment paper baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet with a tea towel and leave the rolls to rise for 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 390 °F.
Before baking, brush each roll with beaten egg. Place one of the nettle leaves on top of each roll. Brush with egg again to ensure the leaf sticks.
Bake in the oven for about 35 minutes until golden on top and there is a hollow sound when you tap the bottom.
These rolls taste wonderful served alongside large bowls of my wild garlic & nettle soup.
This Wild Nettle Bread is a delicious way to use up one of nature’s most delicious weeds! Pick some nettles and try making this bread soon. Please come back to let me know what you think!
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