Easy White Bread : Baking Your First Loaf!

It rises up and then is punched down and left to rise again; It was kill and then resurrected and yet killed again; It brings life through its death. Sounds torturous yet noble isn't it? Well, it is your humble  loaf of bread. 

Few things have gotten me so excited anymore. It was my first time baking with yeast because I'm always worried it will not come out well. Well, my loaf did rise, develop a little bit of flavour and came out of the oven looking so rustic and cool. I went gaga over it when it first came out. It was soooo cool, I must emphasis. Looking forward to more yeasty treats popping up on the dining table! This recipe is real simple and would be the perfect entry for beginners like me. But there isn't much flavour, I must admit, but it's a good start!

Easy White Bread
(Adapted from BBC GoodFood)

500g strong white flour , plus extra for dusting
2 tsp salt
7g sachet fast-action yeast
3 tbsp olive oil
300ml water

Mix the flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre, then add the oil and water, and mix well. If the dough seems a little stiff, add 1-2 tbsp water, mix well then tip onto a lightly floured work surface and knead. Once the dough is satin-smooth, place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Leave to rise for 1 hour until doubled in size or place in the fridge overnight.

Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Knock back the dough, then gently mould the dough into a ball. Place it on the baking parchment to prove for a further hour until doubled in size.

Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Dust the loaf with flour and cut a cross about 6cm long into the top of the loaf with a sharp knife. Bake for 25-30 mins until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath. Cool on a wire rack.

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