I love lazy weekends. I wake up at my leisure, browse the papers with a strong cup of coffee in one hand and begin contemplating on the type of bread I will be baking. I couldn’t think of a better way of spending my morning. I find it therapeutic to knead the dough with my hands, bashing it as hard as possible to take away my inner frustrations. I get a sense of pride from seeing the dough rise. The smell of fresh bread in the house, in my opinion, is far better than any scented candle, or air freshener.
Baking bread doesn’t have to be complicated – there are only four main ingredients, flour, yeast, water and salt! And once you have mastered the basic recipe, you can really have fun with your flavours, experimenting along the way. From savoury options, such as spinach and feta, potato and rosemary, and ham and cheese, to sweet breads, such as honey and walnut, cinnamon and raisins, fig and walnut, the varieties are endless.
Ingredients
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 300ml lukewarm water
- 15g fresh yeast or 1 sachet fast action dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- Few sprigs of rosemary, chopped
- Handful of mixed olives (preferably kalamatas)
Method
- Dilute the fresh yeast into the lukewarm water.
- Put all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, make a well and add the diluted water.
- Knead the mixture by hand for at least ten minutes – this will ensure the bread is light and airy.
- Cover the bowl with cling film and leave in a warm room for 45 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll the dough out into your desired shape. At this stage, I push rosemary sprigs and olives into the dough. Place on a baking tray, cover and leave in a warm room for another 35 minutes.
- Preheat the oven at 210 Celsius / Gas mark 7 and bake for 35 minutes, until the bread has risen and is golden brown.
- Serve with good quality extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Notes
Fresh yeast can by purchased online from Amazon and The Scandinavian Kitchen. The latter also has a shop in Great Titchfield Street in London. If you are really lucky, you may be able to get it from your local supermarket, just enquire at the bakery section.