Savory Saffron Brioche with Rosemary and Vermont Ham

Ingredients

• 2 1/2
  
  cups flour
  
• 1
  
  pinch saffron threads
  
• 1 1/2
  
  teaspoons instant yeast
  
• 1/2
  
  cup tepid water
  
• 3
  
  tablespoons lukewarm milk
  
• 3
  
  eggs
  
• 6
  
  ounces unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks)
  
• 1 1/4
  
  teaspoons salt
  
• 1/4
  
  cup snipped fresh rosemary leaves, loose not packed
  
• 3/4
  
  cup lean Vermont ham, 1/4-inch dice
  
• 1 1/2
  
  cups active sourdough starter (plus 1/3 c. flour, see below)
  
• 1
  
  egg yolk mixed with 1/4 cup milk
  

Directions

1. Two hours in advance: Put the pinch of saffron in 3 TB warm water; set aside for 2 hours to steep.
2. Mix the sourdough starter with an additional 1/3 cup flour, to feed it and make it thicker. Set aside while saffron is steeping.
3. When saffron has steeped for 2 hours, butter a brioche pan or large metal bread or cake mold.
4. Make sponge: In a small mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of the flour with the instant yeast and the tepid water. Knead it together into a sticky ball. Cover with plastic wrap and float this bowl in a larger bowl of 100F water for at least 20 minutes.
5. In a bowl for electric mixer, combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, milk, liquid drained from saffron infusion (removing and reserving the threads in a bit more water, because they will continue to infuse), eggs and salt.
   Mix 3 minutes at medium speed with dough hook to develop gluten.
6. Add the sponge dough ball, and continue mixing with the dough hook for another 3 minutes.
7. Add rosemary and ham, blend until just mixed. Cover with plastic film and let rise for 1 hour.
8. Remove plastic, and fold in the thickened sourdough starter thoroughly, along with any more saffron infusion drained from the threads. Replace the plastic.
   Let rise for another half hour.
9. On a floured counter, shape the dough into a ball. Reserve a handful of dough for the brioche topknot. The dough will be soft, and a bit sticky. If it is too sticky and has no body, fold in a bit more flour. Place the main dough ball in the buttered brioche pan. Add a pinch more flour to the topknot, roll it around (this is to give it more body), and place on top of the dough in the pan.
10. Allow this to rise on the counter until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.
11. Brush on the egg yolk/milk glaze, very gently, being careful to not let it drip down into the side of the pan.
12. Bake in a preheated 425F oven for 40 minutes or until well-browned.
13. Remove from pan and cool on rack for 30 minutes. Slice with serrated bread knife, and enjoy.