Here's a basic recipe for a classic homemade bread:
Ingredients:
- 500 grams (4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (7 grams) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 300 milliliters (1 ¼ cups) warm water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for brushing)
Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture.
Gradually mix the flour and liquid together until it forms a rough dough. You can use a wooden spoon or your hands for this step.
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes. Kneading helps develop the gluten in the dough and gives the bread structure. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1-2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any air pockets. Transfer it back to a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute or two.
Shape the dough into the desired form. You can make a traditional loaf shape, round boule, or experiment with other shapes. Place the shaped dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes until it has visibly expanded.
Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
Optional: Brush the surface of the dough with olive oil to give it a glossy finish.
Place the dough in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Feel free to experiment with variations by adding herbs, spices, or other ingredients to the dough to customize the flavor of your bread. Enjoy your freshly baked homemade bread!