It is so disheartening that we are still coming in an out of lockdown after 18 months. Filling our home with the smell of fresh bread has been one way of coping with lockdown. Here is our family’s favourite easy white bread recipe. It is a real crowd pleaser, even though crowds are a no no!
If you are creating a cookbook, feel free to try this simple bread recipe and use it in your publication.
Ingredients
3 cups (450g) plain flour
2 tsp dry yeast
2 tsp salt
1.5 cups warm water
2 tbsp flour, for dusting
Method
In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast and salt. Add water, then mix with a wooden spoon until all the flour is incorporated. Dough should be wet and sloppy, but not runny. Add more water or flour if needed for the dough to be the correct consistency.
Allow dough to rise. Cover with a plate, leave for 2 – 3 hours on bench/countertop until it doubles in size. It should be wobbly and bubbly.
Preheat oven to 230°C/450°F. Put a Dutch oven or oven proof metal pan with lid into the oven. Allow it to heat up for 20-30 mins prior to baking. The size of the pan should be 25cm or larger.
To shape the dough, sprinkle your work surface with 1 tbsp of flour. Remove dough from bowl and place onto floured surface. Sprinkle the top of the dough with 1 tbsp flour. Fold the sides of the dough towards the center using a spatula or large knife. Your aim is to deflate the bubbles and form a rough dough ball.
Flip the dough onto a large piece of baking paper. Pick up the ends of the paper and use them to further shape the dough into a rough ball shape.
Remove hot Dutch oven or pan from oven. Picking up the side of the paper, place dough into pot and cover with lid.
Bake for 30 minutes covered. Remove lid and bake a further 10-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Cool on rack for approximately 10 minutes before serving.
Comments
In Melbourne we were in hard lockdown for 111 days in 2020 and then a further 20 days in 2021. It isn’t over yet. Another 5 day lockdown was announced today. During our first lockdown, we made bread every other day. The first time was the trickiest, but after about a week and a half of making this easy bread recipe, we didn’t need the recipe anymore. We knew it by heart.
This thing keeps knocking us down and we just have to keep getting up. This recipe is just for a bit of fun and comfort. Our hearts go out to the entire world. Please refer to the Australian Government Department of Health website for any help you may need.
