Bread! Sometimes, people often overcomplicate bread but we've tried to master the perfect home loaf and we're going to show you how to do it!
Check out the recipe video below!
Ingredients
600g x Strong White Bread Flour
400ml x Tepid Water
7g x Dried Yeast
18g x Salt
Method
1. Place the flour into a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre using the back of a spoon. Next, add the salt to one side of the bowl and the dried yeast to the opposite side.
2. Pour the tepid water into the centre and then mix using a spoon until all ingredients are combined.
3. Dust your work surface with flour and tip the dough out onto the worktop. Knead the dough for 5 minutes by stretching, folding and generally moving it around for 5 minutes. Place back into the bowl and cover with a clean, damp cloth. Set a timer for 10 minutes.
4. After 10 minutes, uncover and pick up one side of the dough. Stretch it over to the other side of the bowl and gradually work your way around the bowl two times. Cover and leave for another 10 minutes. Repeat the same process again and then leave for a final 10 minutes. Work your way around the bowl stretching the dough for a final time. Cover once more and leave for 45 minutes. (See video for a demonstration of this stage)
5. After 45 minutes it's time to shape the dough. Push out any excess air from the dough and place the dough onto a floured worktop. Shape into a rough ball by picking up one side and pulling into the centre, work your way around the dough until it forms a ball.
6. Line a mixing bowl with greaseproof paper and place the shaped dough into it. Cover with a damp cloth and proof the dough for a further 30 minutes. At this point preheat the oven to its hottest setting or roughly around 250°C or 482°F and place the dutch oven in to preheat also.
7. After 30 minutes lift the dough from the bowl using the corners of the greeseproof paper and place into the hot dutch oven or cast iron pot. Lightly dust the top of the bread with flour and slash a cross shape using a sharp knife. Place the lid on and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes remove the lid and bake for a further 20 Minutes until golden on top.
8. Remove your bread from the pot and leave to cool before tucking in.
Enjoy!