How Do I Make Bread From Scratch?

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of warm water
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients and mix until a rough dough forms.
3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles, and shape it into a loaf.
6. Place the loaf in a greased loaf pan, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the top of the loaf with water or an egg wash, and make a few shallow slashes on top.
8. Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Note: Bread making can be a bit of a trial and error process, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries to get it right. Factors like temperature, humidity, and altitude can all affect the final outcome. Keep practicing and experimenting with different recipes and techniques until you find the perfect loaf!

Storage and reheating instructions:

• Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• To freeze, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• To reheat, wrap the bread in foil and place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.

Leftover suggestions:

• Make bread pudding or French toast with leftover bread.
• Use stale bread to make breadcrumbs or croutons.

Health benefits:

• Homemade bread allows for control over the quality and quantity of ingredients, making it a healthier option than store-bought bread.
• Whole wheat flour can add additional fiber and nutrients to the bread.

Serving size: This recipe yields one standard loaf of bread, which typically serves 10-12 slices.

Nutrition information:

• Calories: 140 per slice (based on 12 slices per loaf)
• Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 4g

RDA value:

• This recipe provides approximately 5% of the daily recommended amount of iron per serving.

Shopping list:

• All-purpose flour or bread flour
• Active dry yeast
• Sugar
• Salt
• Olive oil