Name: Kumara bread
Prep time: 95 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 125 min
Ingredients: 250 gram orange kumara, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces; 200 millilitre milk; 5 tablespoon warm (body temperature) water; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 3 cup high-grade flour; 1 teaspoon dried yeast granules; 1 teaspoon salt; milk or water, to brush

Kumara bread

My sister made this when she worked in the sub-Antarctic islands. As rations got scarce, the hardy kumara was a hit once she turned it into this moist bread.

Makes 1 large_piece

Prep

1H 35M

Cook

30M

Total

2H 5M

Ingredients

250 gram orange kumara, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces

200 millilitre milk

5 tablespoon warm (body temperature) water

1/2 teaspoon sugar

3 cup high-grade flour

1 teaspoon dried yeast granules

1 teaspoon salt

milk or water, to brush

Method

1.In a small saucepan, cook the kumara and about half the milk until soft, with the lid on. Once cooked, most of the milk will have evaporated and if not, remove the lid and keep cooking. Transfer the kumara to a large mixing bowl and mash with the remaining milk. Leave to cool a little.

2.Make a yeast sponge by mixing the water, sugar, 1 tsp flour and the yeast in a cup. Leave to stand for 10-15 minutes until foamy.

3.Combine the yeast mixture and warm mashed kumara. Mix in the flour (reserving about ½ cup) and salt. Turn out onto a floured board and knead for 5-10 minutes until you have a very soft but not too sticky dough. Keep adding reserved flour if it is too sticky to handle, but remember that the more you add, the tougher the bread.

4.Cover and leave in a warm place to double in size (40 minutes to 1 hour).

5.Once risen, punch it down. Shape the dough into a round or oval loaf, or a dozen buns – then place on a floured oven tray. Leave to double in size again. This rise may take less time than the first.

6.Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush the bread with milk or water.

7.Bake bread for 20-30 minutes or until it sounds hollow when tapped.