Bread making at the homestead

 I have been in a bread making mood lately and would like to share with you.  This a basic bread recipe and can be the base for different types of bread

 In a food processor put three cups of pre sifted flour, I added two cups of white flour and one cup of multi grain flour. I added one teaspoon of salt  and one teaspoon of sugar. I then pulsed the food processor to mix these ingredients. In a measuring cup add just under 8 oz of tepid water and empty a packet of instant yeast. I use Saf Instant brand and find that it does not give off a yeasty smell in the bread. Make sure the yeast is thoroughly wet by swirling the water in the cup. Leave for 5 minutes the yeast should become a bit bubbly if it does not that means that yeast is old or expired, throw away and get a new packet. Then add a tablespoon of oil to the yeast liquid. I used rice bran oil but olive oil or sunflower oil can be used. Turn on the processor and slowly add the liquid the mixture will soon become a ball like mass. Use the pulse button until the mass clings to one side of the food processor's bowl.

 The dough is now ready to be taken out and kneaded on a floured surface.

The dough should be soft and pliable and will quickly become smooth with minimum handling.

Add a teaspoon of  oil to a bowl and spread it to the sides and turn the dough over twice to allow the oil to coat it. Cover with plastic wrap and a clean towel. Leave to rise for 25-30 mins. It should  double its size.

 The dough has doubled in size and is ready to be taken out and be rolled.

 Cut the dough into two and gently roll into two balls on a floured surface. Then roll each piece into a long shape and place seam side down on a flat tin lined with with parchment paper or greased if you do not have any paper.

 Cover with the clean towel and leave for another 25 minutes to rise.

While dough is rising  melt some butter and allow it to cool. Just before putting into the oven make some diagonal slashes on the rolled dough with a knife and brush on the melted butter. You can also use a beaten egg instead of the butter. I sprinkled the dough with some onion powder and some fennel seeds  to give  a more savory flavour. You can also do a plain and a savoury bread at the same time.

 Place an empty pan on the bottom oven shelf and preheat the oven to 425 degrees. When oven has reached the required temperature place about 6-8 cups of ice cubes into the hot pan on the bottom shelf. This will allow the bread to become crusty. Place the two loaves onto the top shelf and bake for 20-25 minutes or until brown. The bread will become bigger  in size as it cooks. Remove from oven when brown and Cool and serve warm with butter. Yummy!

Bon appétit!

Recipe

3 cups of flour

1 packet of yeast

1 teaspoon of salt 

1 teaspoon of sugar

1 cup of  tepid water 

1 tablespoon of oil

Please let me know how your bread comes out.