Basic bread
Submitted by Kosai03
Contents
Introduction
This is a basic bread recipe that I have come up with over time based on other ones I have tried. I normally bake up a loaf of eat each weekend to use during the week for sandwiches.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 4 tsp yeast (I have been using a bread machine/rapid rise yeast)
- 3 Tbsp cane sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 3/4 - 3 cups flour
- Something to lightly grease the pan
Optional
- A touch of honey
- Milled flax
- Anything else you want
Tools
- Large mixing bowl
- Liquid measuring cup
- Regular measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing spoon
- Bread pan (I think mine are 9x5)
- A nice surface to work on
- Cooling rack
- Towel to cover with
Instructions
Base Mix
In a large bowl, add:
- Water
- Milk
- Yeast
Mix briefly, then add:
- Sugar
- Honey (optional)
Mix briefly, then add:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- Flax (optional)
- Other items (optional)
Mix this for around 200 strokes, it should be a mildly thick batter. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Creating the dough
To the mix, add:
- Salt
- Olive oil
Mix this lightly, then add:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
Give this a slight mix, it should be very doughy. Turn this dough onto a floured surface and knead it for 8 minutes, working in more flour if needed. It should become very smooth and elastic rather than sticky.
Put a little oil in the bottom of a bowl and roll the dough ball in it. Let it sit in the bowl, covered, for 1 hour to rise.
Creating the loaf
Start preheating the oven to 400* F
Punch down the risen dough ball and work it into a smaller, somewhat longer than wide loaf. Then place it in the greased pan and let it rise for approximately 30 minutes (or until its doubled and looks like the size of loaf you want).
Place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until light brown on top.
Remove from the pan and give the bottom a tap with your finger, it should sound kind of hollow. Place the loaf on the cooling rack to cool and enjoy.
[Pictures coming the next time I make it]
