In this tutorial, we'll show you a simple and trusted recipe for making homemade bread. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced baker, this foolproof guide will help you create delicious bread right in your own kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with your baking skills!
We'll be using Jamie Oliver's beautiful bakeware range to make two nice big tins of bread. So let's get started!
Steps:
- Step 1: Prepare the yeast Start by making a well in one kilo of strong bread flour. In a separate bowl, add one sachet of yeast to 620 milliliters of tepid water. Let it sit for about five minutes until the yeast activates and starts to bubble. You can add a pinch of sugar to feed the yeast and enhance the crust.
- Step 2: Mix the flour and yeast Add a generous couple of pinches of salt to the flour. Once the yeast has activated, pour the water into the well in the flour. Use a fork to mix the ingredients, bringing the flour in from the outside to the inside. Continue mixing until you have a smooth elastic dough. Adjust the water or flour if needed.
- Step 3: Knead the dough Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead it for about 10 minutes. There's no specific technique, just move it, stretch it, and rub it onto the surface. Use a palette knife to scrape off any stuck bits of dough. Kneading strengthens the gluten, allowing it to trap and stretch the gases produced by the yeast.
- Step 4: First proof Place the dough in a bowl rubbed with a little oil. Let it proof for about two hours until it doubles in size. Alternatively, you can proof it in the fridge for a slower development of flavor. Cover the bowl with cling film to keep it humid.
- Step 5: Shape and second proof After the first proof, divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a ball. Place the dough in two molds and cover them with a warm, damp tea towel. Let the dough proof for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
- Step 6: Bake the bread Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400 Fahrenheit). After the second proof, remove the tea towel and bake the bread in the middle of the oven for 30-35 minutes. The bread is ready when it sounds hollow when tapped on top.
- Step 7: Enjoy your homemade bread Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool. Slice it up and enjoy your homemade bread in sandwiches or toasted. The crispy crust and fluffy interior will elevate any meal. If you want to explore more recipes and Jamie Oliver's bakeware range, check out the information box below.