Pomegranate and Apple Bread with a touch of Mango!

I had some leftover pomegranate seeds and half a can of mango nectar from the day before. What better way to use it all up than to put them in a bread!

So here is a chunky Pomegranate and Apple bread with an added mango tang!

The chunky apples give a nice sweetness to the bread.. the pomegranate seeds fall out very easily if the slice is too thin.. Next time, I will puree the pomegranate and add to the bread! Also because of chunky fruit in the bread, the shelf life is short. Refrigerate the bread the finish it off within 3 days!

I also spent a good time kneading this one, so the gluten developed quite nicely and i got a really fluffy and soft crumb!

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups bread flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup pomegranate pulpy seeds(arils)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped apple
• 1/2 cup mango juice or nectar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons sugar or honey

Directions:

1. Warm 1/2 cup of water to about 110 degrees.
2. Add sugar and yeast to it. Mix well and let stand for 5 minutes or until frothy.
3. Add 1.5 cup bread flour, salt, softened butter and mix well.
4. Add the mango nectar, lemon juice and the rest of the flour in 1/2 cup batches to make a soft dough. Knead for 10 minutes to get a nice stretchy and soft dough.
5. Place dough in a well oiled container, covered, in a warm oven and let rise for an hour.
6. Knead the dough well and pat down into an inch thick rounded rectangle.
7. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds an chopped apple on the rectangle.
8. Roll up the dough firmly like a jelly roll and shape the roll into a loaf
9. Place the dough in a bread pan.
10. Brush the olive oil on the dough.
11. Let dough rise for another half an hour or until doubled.
12. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 35 minutes or till the top starts to get golden.
13. Remove the bread and cool it on wire rack.
14. Cool for 2-3 hours before slicing. The bread will be moist because of the fresh fruit in it. Make thick slices and enjoy butter or toasted with some Masala Tea!

This one is headed to this week's Yeastspotting!