I have long had this notion in my head…to bake bread. I had friends who had the bread making machine and those who kneaded their dough into the most delicious of rolls. I, however, seemed to have some kind of ‘in awe’/fear of bread making myself.
When I was 21 I spent 2 months of my summer teaching at a school in Malawi between my university years. As part of the rental of the house I was provided with, there was a cleaning lady who came regularly to clean my spartan space. It was the part of the agreement that grated with me although I was assured it provided income for her and her family. Despite the slight embarrassment of having a cleaner, one part of me loved her visits because before she started she would mix up a dough and leave it to rise as she worked. Before she left I would have a batch of little bread rolls ready to put in the oven. Eaten warm with butter. Nothing quite matched it.
I love bread. The no-carb diet would not feature on my radar…French baguettes, the sourdough, the olive breads, I love them all…..but I never thought I could make them myself. Until now.
Honestly, this was the easiest recipe.
What to do:
(In preparation heat your oven with an oiled crockpot inside at 220ºC)
4 ingredients:
3 cups plain flour | 1teasp salt | 1/2 teas dried yeast | 2 cups warm water
// Mix together the flour, salt and yeast.
// Add the warm water and stir.
// Cover with clingfilm and leave for 8-24 hours.
// The mix should appear sticky. Lift it from the bowl and place on a floured board – I also floured the dough little more too. It should sit like a ball.
// Work your way around the edges and pull to the centre of the ball. Keep turning and rub in more flour if ball is too sticky. When you have come right the way round, flip the ball over and cut an ‘x’ on the top.
// Place the dough in the crockpot and then covered in the oven for 35 mins.
// Lift out and take the lid off the pot. Place back in oven for a further 10/15 mins.
// When done, lift out and allow to cool. Enjoy it warm with some butter and maybe a bowl of hot soup or top with some beef tomato and mozzarella!
If you have a go I would love to hear…also maybe try adding some rosemary, olives or dates?? What would your favourite combination be?
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I make this bread too but with fresh yeast. Is really is so easy. Sometimes I make a rye flour version, other times I add linseed to it. Yours looks delicious. Well done!
Oh…that sound delicious Fionnuala! I really couldn’t believe I haven’t done this before – so lovely! Does the fresh yeast give a better result do you think? x
This looks so delicious Janice! You’ve inspired me to try, though I’m usually a disaster in the kitchen…Beautiful pics. x
It is Hannah and so easy…if I can do it anyone can! Let me know if you try! xx