So that got me reading up on making just plain bread - it ended up being just like the bread aisle at kroger - too many options and choices.
So here is what I wound up with for my first attempt - i am not putting any quantity here coz we are not trying to make a bread to "specifications", make it your own :
flour - whole wheat atta or whatever you want (i read you can add some chopped wheat to get that grains found in market breads) this was about 3 cups for a full loaf
sweet - honey (i would use sugar for my next attempt - i dont like honey anyway :) )
salt - as desired (i used very little - half a teaspoon i think)
warm water (for the yeast)
milk - (a little again 2%)
oil - about a tablespoon (am gonna try butter next time)
yeast
also for next attempt will try one egg also in the mix - so it will be sugar, butter and one egg :))
and any other flavors you want to add !!
mix up everything other than the flour - this will be ur liquid for mixing the flour in and it has to be warm for the yeast to work.
i used a processer to mix coz they said knead for 8 minutes !!
so mix up the flour till it is one piece, but not as thick as chapati mix, it should stick together, but still stick to your fingers if you poke it...so somewhere in between a cake mix and chapati mix.
now take the end result and shape it into a loaf (as best as you can), pat the outside with oil (basically create a barrier so it does not stick to anything).
grease a bake plate, put this in, leave for an hour in a warm place - should double in size (if not check your yeast or temperature)
once it rises, bake at 375 F for 40 minutes. check and add more time if required. basically outside will get a good crust like the European breads (dont expect market bread consistency without additives) and you should be able to tap it and hear a hollow sound inside. Maybe stick a fork and find out the inside :)
cool and cut..
1 comment:
Since you have now stepping into my territory I cant help but comment.
A good yeast bread, soft inside, springy with good crust etc etc has to be kneaded. Plus the joy of bread making in the kneading, you can actually feel the life within nearing the 8th minute... it is the closest thing to giving birth, so without cutting corners try it the right way and you will never buy bread again.
Post a Comment