Bread is a staple food that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. It is relatively easy to make at home, and the process can be quite satisfying. In this article, we will go over the basic steps for making bread from scratch.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of flour
- 1 packet of active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 and 1/2 cups of warm water
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
- Slowly add the warm water to the dry ingredients, stirring constantly. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Form it into a loaf shape and place it in a greased loaf pan.
- Cover the loaf with a damp cloth and let it rise again for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Once the oven is preheated, place the loaf in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until it is golden brown.
- Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
With these basic instructions, you can make a delicious loaf of bread at home. Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with different flours and add-ins like herbs or cheese to create your own unique bread. Happy baking!