Two of my favourite things to bake are probably the ones that instill fear in most novices: pies and bread. I get a lot of questions about making homemade bread so I thought I would post a few hints and tips for this most satisfying of baking projects.
When making bread, as with preparing any homemade food, selecting your ingredients is the number one priority. The quality of your end product is a direct result of the caliber of your choices. For bread, you need to select a top-quality flour (usually wheat flour) with certain proteins which will form better gluten and a better bread. Yeast should be fresh (always check the expiration date and store in the fridge). Sugar and salt must be added in the correct quantities to avoid interfering with the action of the yeast. You also need to be aware of the temperature of your ingredients (all lukewarm), accurate measuring, adequate kneading, and a warm, draft-free place for the dough to rise.
- kneading by hand takes about 8-10 minutes and you will feel the dough change from a rough, uneven texture to a smooth and elastic ball. You'll have a satiny finish with visible tiny bubbles under the surface.
- your dough will have to rise in a warm, humid place until double in bulk. I like to turn the oven on for a minute to warm it, then turn it off and keep the light on. I also set a pan of warm water in the oven to keep it moist. Cover the dough with a tea towel to keep it from crusting over. Test if the dough has risen enough by pressing 2 fingers into it: if dents remain in the dough, it's ready!
- when shaping your loaves, roll dough into a rectangle and then roll it up firmly (but not too tightly) and seal the ends.
- if you prefer a soft crust, after baking brush tops of the hot bread with melted butter
If you have any questions, just send me an e-mail. Basically, once you have made your own bread once or twice, you will have more experience and more success. You'll come to realize when your dough is ready and if you need to add more flour or knead it longer. It is a wonderful pastime that many people find stress-reducing and very satisfying...and eating it is the best part! Check out my bread-making video here for more information.
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