Semolina Bread

 

This is an Algerian bread called "homemade bread" because it's made by housewives. It is soft with brioche like texture. It can be served with any meal but I prefer having it for breakfast with real butter and honey! I like to sprinkle it with nigelle seeds, but you can substitue sesame seeds or fennel seeds. 

Ingredients

3 cups semolina
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
1 egg and 1 egg white
1 cup water
1/2 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons oil
Egg wash: 1 egg yoke and 1 teaspoon milk
Nigelle seeds (around 2 teaspoons )

Directions

1. In a stand mixer (or bowl), combine the flour, semolina and salt. Add the yeast and sugar
2. Whisk the egg and egg white, oil and milk in a separate bowl.
3. Gradually add the egg mixture and the water to the mixer and knead for 5-6 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. 
4. Place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hour until doubled or until your finger leaves an impression when you poke the dough gently.
5. Turn onto a slightly floured surface, gently deflate and divide in 2 equal pieces. 
6. To make round bread, shape each piece like a ball and place it in a cake pan lined with parchemin. Press it gently to give it a nice round shape. If you prefer log shape, pat dough into a rectangle then gently roll and stretch it out into a log, sealing the edges with your hand. Transfer to a pan lined with parchemin paper. 
7. Score the loaves with a sharp knife (see pictures or any pattern of your choice) then cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise again 30-40 minutes.
8. Whisk together the yolk and milk and lightly brush egg wash over the top of the loaves. Sprinkle nigelle seeds.
9. Bake for 25 minutes at 425°F (220°C), until until golden brown on top. Cool on a wire rack.

Notes
Every oven is different and convection-ovens are even more different. The baking time provided here is for my conventional oven (not convection), which maybe longer or shorter than it would take in yours, so you will have to watch.