A brilliant, easy bread recipe to bake at home from www.yuppiechef.com
Introduction
Bread is a staple food that has been around for centuries. It's an essential component of various cuisines, and it's difficult to imagine a meal without bread. Many people love the smell of freshly baked bread, but they find the idea of making it at home daunting. However, with the right recipe, making bread at home is easy and fun. This simple bread recipe is perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
Ingredients
The ingredients required for making bread are simple and readily available. You will need:
3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of salt
1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
1 cup of warm water (110°F to 115°F)
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Flour
All-purpose flour is the most commonly used flour for making bread. It has the right balance of protein and gluten, which gives bread its structure and texture. You can also use bread flour or whole wheat flour, but the texture and taste of the bread will be different.
Sugar
Sugar is added to the bread dough to feed the yeast. Yeast is a living organism that feeds on sugar and produces carbon dioxide, which makes the bread rise. The sugar also adds a hint of sweetness to the bread.
Salt
Salt is added to the bread dough for flavor. It also helps to control the rate at which the yeast ferments the dough.
Yeast
Yeast is the most crucial ingredient in bread-making. It's a living organism that feeds on sugar and produces carbon dioxide, which makes the bread rise. Active dry yeast is the most commonly used yeast for making bread.
Water
Water is added to the bread dough to hydrate the flour and activate the yeast. The temperature of the water is essential because if it's too hot, it will kill the yeast, and if it's too cold, the yeast won't activate.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is added to the bread dough to make it more tender and moist. It also helps to keep the bread fresh for longer.
Instructions
Making bread at home is easy and straightforward. Follow these simple steps to make your own homemade bread:
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix well.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add the warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix well until a dough forms.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Step 4: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
Step 5: Shape the Dough
Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place the dough in a greased loaf pan.
Step 6: Let the Dough Rise Again
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
Step 7: Bake the Bread
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until it's golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool before slicing.
Nutrition
This simple bread recipe yields a delicious loaf of bread that's perfect for sandwiches or toast. Here's the nutrition information for one slice of bread (based on 10 slices per loaf):
Calories: 130
Total Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 390mg
Total Carbohydrates: 22g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 1g
Protein: 4g
Conclusion
Making bread at home is a fun and rewarding experience. This simple bread recipe is perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make a delicious loaf of bread that's perfect for sandwiches or toast. So why not give it a try and enjoy the freshest bread you've ever tasted.
