Breads and doughs

Broa de Avintes

A dark, dense corn-and-rye loaf with a deep flavour.

RegionAvintes / North
DifficultyHard
Total time2 hours 40 minutes
Yield1 large bread
Photo of Broa de Avintes — traditional Portuguese recipe
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

Broa de Avintes is a dark, dense and distinctive regional bread.

Made with corn and rye, it has a moist crumb and a slightly sweet flavour, excellent with cheeses, cured sausages and soups.

Ingredients

  • 350 g fine cornmeal
  • 250 g rye flour
  • 150 g wheat flour
  • 10 g dried yeast
  • 500 ml hot water
  • 1 tablespoon molasses, optional
  • 1 teaspoon of salt

Method

  1. Scald the cornmeal with the hot water and let it cool until lukewarm.
  2. Add the rye flour, wheat flour, yeast, salt and molasses.
  3. Mix until a heavy dough forms.
  4. Leave it to ferment in a warm, draught-free place.
  5. Shape into a rustic loaf.
  6. Bake at a moderately low temperature until firm and dark.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Cornbread dough is heavier than white bread.
  • Resting improves the texture.
  • Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Brazilian molasses helps match the colour and flavour.
  • Rye flour can be found in health food stores.

Pairing

Cheeses, cured sausages, hot soup or a red wine. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from Portuguese culinary tradition. Like every traditional recipe, it may vary by region, family and cook.

Do you have a Portuguese family recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. Submitted recipes are reviewed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
1 h 10 min
Cooking
1 h 30 min
Total time
2 hours 40 minutes
Yield
1 large bread
Difficulty
Hard
Occasion
Regional bread, cheese table

Pairing

Cheeses, cured sausages, hot soup or a red wine. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Empório tip

Cornbread dough is heavier than white bread.

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