Art on the Ave 2014 was a tremendous success. After a year’s work putting the event together, the block party on 4th Ave went by too quickly. The best part of the day, for me, was when staffing the Tibetan prayer flag booth, at which kids decorated squares of cloth with designs and messages drawn in Sharpie, one little boy wrote on his flag “You are luky to live here.” A small and innocent truth with which I could not more whole heartedly agree. Luky, luky, luky. Best neighborhood in Rochester. We are the Boho Quarter to be sure. Compassion, as this year’s event theme, chosen by cardiac rehab nurse AND neighbor extraordinaire Janelle, was practically pulsing from each of our chests on these sweet T-shirts designed by Tastes Like Paint (and hand screen printed by KP).
I should have made more of these rolls and sold them at a bread booth. Would have done some mad business with these if I had teamed up with the hot dog stand. Hard to compete with People’s Food Coop, though.
Papo Secos—Portuguese Rolls
4 cups bread flour (one of which is wheat flour)
1 cup fermente (starter)
3/4 -1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups tepid water
Mix the ingredients and knead until smooth. About 10 minutes of hand-kneading.
Cover and let rise overnight. 10-12 hours is normal. You can make the dough at night and by morning it is ready to finish and bake.
Divide into balls – divide the dough into several balls – a little smaller than the size of a tennis ball
Roll on a lightly floured board until you have a smooth ball of dough
Crease the ball of dough with the side of your hand – press firmly almost to the board.
Twist the ends – now you must grab about an inch in from each end and twist the dough to for the ends – this technique holds the shape of the roll. Some people use a little rice flour in the crease to keep it from sealing up. Lay the roll CREASE side DOWN onto a floured tea towel or clean cloth – push the towel up slightly to the roll as you form the next roll – this keeps the rolls from spreading out.
Cover and let rise – 1 hour – when ready, carefully lift the rolls onto your baking sheet, this time with the CREASE side UP.
Pre-heat the oven to 425F and set a pan of water on the bottom rack. Bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until done – they should be golden brown when they are done!
Papo Secos in English means literally ‘dry stomach or pouch.’ Got Portuguese on the brain as World Cup is less than a month away.
I love the name of these, and also their form. What beautiful and healthful looking bread! Also, thanks so much for inviting me to your magnificent Art on the Ave! You look so lovely in the bright green shirt you’re modeling in the photo here. Hooray for compassion, art and bread!