SATURDAY AT THE MANOR BREAD BAKING (2)

BREAD BAKING (2) By the way I do have a bread maker ,but never use it , I prefer to oven bake . Preheat your oven to 220 deg C and the room temperature of your kitchen not cool/cold . Place the dough on hook on your elecetric mixer . Pour 350 ml of lukewarm water (30 deg C) in the bowl of your electric mixer , then add 600 gm of bread flour and finally 1 dsp of yeast .The ingredients must always be added in that order . Now beat the mixture fairly rigorously for 15 minutes , the dough should be elastic and when streched , letting the light through . I leave the dough in the bowl and cover it with a dry , clean tea towel. It will double in size , give it 40 minutes . While waiting for the dough to swell , grease the baking dish you are going to bake your bread in or baking tray you are going to bake your bread on . Once the bread dough has swollen I put the dough hook back down and degas the dough . Now remove the dough and shape it the pan or baking tray use are using and leave it sit till it has swollen again to double in size . Then place in the well preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes , your bread will be golden and when tapped with your fingers your loaf should sound hollow . Turn out on to a wire rack and cool completely . I purchase bread flour in 10 kg bags , but it can be purchased in smaller quantities and you have the choice of German rye , crusty white , wholemeal... etc. Making bread is the best way to make the best of a wanton weekend and fill your house will the aromas of freshly baked bread . You can do this and it is the most enjoyable experience to make your own bread and eat it !!