Homemade Bread Bowls II: A Delicious Way to Serve Soups and Stews

Bread bowls are the perfect way to enjoy your favorite soups and stews, as they add flavor and texture to your meal. With this recipe, you can make your own bread bowls from scratch, allowing you to customize the size and taste to your liking. These bread bowls are crusty on the outside, yet soft and chewy on the inside, making them the ultimate vessel for hearty dishes. Serve your favorite soups, chowders, or stews in these delicious homemade bread bowls for a truly satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it stand until creamy, for about 10 minutes.
2. Add salt, oil, and 4 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir well to combine.
3. Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough becomes stiff.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, for about 8 minutes.
5. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat it with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, for about 1 hour.
6. Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a round ball.
7. Place the dough balls on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth, and let them rise until doubled, for about 40 minutes.
8. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
9. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the risen dough balls with the egg wash.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread bowls are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11. Remove the bread bowls from the oven and let them cool on wire racks.
12. Once cooled, slice off the top of each bread bowl and hollow out the center, leaving about 1/2 inch of bread all around.
13. Fill the bread bowls with your favorite soups, stews, or chowders and serve immediately.

Interesting Facts