This basic loaf is a cinch to make. It’s best eaten on the same day or used for toasting the following day. For delicious variations, go to How To... make bread in the Know How section.
Ingredients
- 500g strong white bread flour, plus
- extra for dusting
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast
- 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing
Method
- 1. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the yeast. Make a well in the centre and gradually mix in 300ml warm water and the oil until the dough comes together – add a dash more water if it seems dry.
- 2. Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough for 5 minutes, until smooth. Shape like a rugby ball and put onto an oiled, large baking sheet. Set aside in a warm place for 40 minutes or until doubled in size. This is known as proving or rising.
- 3. Preheat oven to 220°C/fan200°C/gas 7. Make deep slashes with a sharp knife in the top of the dough and dust with flour. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until risen, golden and cooked. To test if it’s ready, tap the base of the loaf – it should sound hollow. Cool on a wire rack and slice to serve.
Nutritional info
Per slice: 155kcals, 1.6g fat (0.2g saturated), 4.2g protein, 33g carbs, 0.6g sugar, 0.4g salt