Breads
Broa de Milho (Cape Verdean Corn Bread)
Ingredients
- - Fine cornmeal — 300 g (2 cups)
- - Plain flour — 150 g (1.25 cups)
- - Active dry yeast — 7 g (1 packet)
- - Salt — 1.5 tsp (1.5 tsp)
- - Warm water — 350 ml (1.5 cups)
- - Olive oil — 2 tbsp (2 tbsp)
Method
- Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, and mix into a thick, slightly sticky dough.
- Knead briefly on a floured surface for 5 minutes — the dough will remain somewhat dense.
- Shape into a round loaf, place on a lined baking tray, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes.
- Bake at 200°C (390°F) for 30–35 minutes until deeply golden and firm to the touch.
- Cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Introduction: A dense, rustic corn bread with Portuguese roots, broa de milho is baked in large rounds and sliced thickly, traditionally eaten alongside soups and stews or simply with butter.
Cultural Background: A dense, rustic corn bread with Portuguese roots, broa de milho is baked in large rounds and sliced thickly, traditionally eaten alongside soups and stews or simply with butter.
Tips: This bread has a naturally denser crumb than wheat bread — don't expect it to rise as dramatically. Let it cool fully before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.
Variations: Add a tablespoon of honey to the dough for a slightly sweeter loaf. Top with sesame seeds before baking. Naturally vegan and vegetarian.
Storage: Store wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Toast slices or warm briefly in the oven at 160°C (320°F) for 5 minutes.
Nutrition: Approx. 210 kcal, 5 g protein, 40 g carbohydrate, 3 g fat per slice.
FAQs:
Q: Why is my broa so dense?
A: This bread is naturally denser than wheat bread due to the high cornmeal content — a very heavy, gummy result usually means it needed more time to bake through.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Substituting a gluten-free flour blend for the plain flour works reasonably well, though the texture will be slightly different. SEO Keywords broa de milho, cape verdean corn bread, crioulo bread recipe Image Prompt A rustic round loaf of golden corn bread on a wooden board, cut into thick slices, steam rising.