Who doesn't love a quick and tasty breakfast that can fuel us up for the day? Lykkers, today, we're diving into an all-time favorite — the versatile toast! Not only is toast an easy option, but it's also super adaptable to different flavors and toppings.

It's perfect with eggs and milk, fruits, or veggies, making it both nutritious and delicious. Plus, it's so convenient, you can even turn it into a sandwich and take it on the go.

But today, we're taking things up a notch with a mini black rice toast. It's not just healthy and flavorful but also visually stunning! Instead of the usual bread color, we get a lovely purple hue from the black rice, adding a unique twist to your regular breakfast routine. Let's learn how to make this nutritious and mouthwatering treat!

Ingredients for the Perfect Mini Black Rice Toast

For the dough, we'll need two parts: the “starter dough” (which helps to develop better flavor) and the “main dough” that makes up the final loaf. Here's what we'll need:

Starter Dough Ingredients:

• 210g high-gluten flour

• 135g water

• 2g instant yeast

Main Dough Ingredients:

• 100g high-gluten flour

• 60g black rice flour

• 85g water

• 25g milk powder

• 3g salt

• 40g granulated sugar

• 28g butter

• 2g instant yeast

This recipe makes two mini 300g loaves of bread.

Step-by-Step Process for Your New Favorite Toast

1. Making the Starter Dough: Start by mixing the ingredients for the starter dough (high-gluten flour, water, and instant yeast) until well combined. Knead into a dough, then place it in a large plastic bag. Seal the bag, leaving some room for expansion, and refrigerate for about 17 hours (12-24 hours is fine, but don't exceed 48 hours). This cold fermentation method is perfect for busy schedules, as you can prepare the dough the night before and bake fresh bread the next day!

2. Preparing Black Rice Flour: Wash and dry black rice thoroughly before grinding it into fine powder using a high-quality blender or a wall-mounted grinder. Black rice adds a distinctive fragrance to your toast, and fresh ground flour will give the best aroma.

3. Making the Dough: Now, add all the main dough ingredients (except butter) into your mixer. Start on low speed for 1-2 minutes to bring the ingredients together, then increase to medium speed for 5 minutes until the dough starts to develop.

4. Incorporating Butter: Once the dough is developed, add in small pieces of cold butter and continue mixing for another 1-2 minutes at a low speed until the butter is fully absorbed. Then, increase the speed to the highest setting and knead for about 10 minutes, until you can stretch a thin, translucent membrane (this is known as the "windowpane" test).

5. Shaping the Dough: After the dough is ready, divide it into eight equal portions (use a scale for accuracy). Roll each piece into a ball and cover with plastic wrap to let it rest for about 10 minutes. Once relaxed, use a rolling pin to flatten each dough ball into a long oval shape. Flip it over and roll it up into a cylinder.

6. Shaping the Loaf: After relaxing, roll each portion of dough into a long rectangle, then roll it tightly into a cylinder shape, ensuring it's just slightly shorter than your loaf pan. Repeat with the remaining dough portions and place them in your pre-greased loaf pan.

7. Final Proofing: Let the shaped dough rise at about 38°C (100°F) until it reaches about 80-90% of the loaf pan's height. This step can take around an hour. Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F) and bake for about 27 minutes, or until golden brown. Be sure to remove the loaf from the pan immediately after baking and let it cool on a wire rack.

Tips for Perfecting Your Mini Black Rice Toast

1. Use Ice Water for Summer Baking: During hot summer months, it's a great idea to use ice water for kneading and ensure you're working in a cool environment (like an air-conditioned room) to avoid the dough becoming too warm.

2. Check for Proper Fermentation: To check if your dough is properly fermented, press it lightly with your finger — if the dough doesn't spring back and stays indented, it's ready. If it bounces back, it needs more time.

3. Adjust Water According to Flour Type and Weather: Different flours absorb water differently, and the weather can impact dough consistency. Feel free to adjust the water amount based on your dough's texture.

4. Patience is Key with Rolling: If your dough shrinks while rolling, it means it hasn't rested enough. Just let it relax for a little longer.

5. Let It Cool Completely: Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing, so you can achieve those clean, neat slices.

Conclusion: Toast, but Make It Special!

And that's it, Lykkers! With a little bit of patience and the right ingredients, you can enjoy this mini black rice toast as your go-to breakfast or even as a quick snack throughout the day. It's not just a treat for the stomach but also a visual delight with its purple hue. Whether you're enjoying it solo, with eggs, or as part of a sandwich, you can't go wrong with this toast. Let's get baking and make our mornings a little more vibrant and delicious!

Enjoy your baking journey, and remember to share your creations with us!