39 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
39 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "Basic Bread Recipe"
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date: 2021-03-10
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tags: ['basic', 'bread', 'fasting']
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author: alex-selimov
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---
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This is a recipe for a basic loaf of bread. The dough itself can be used however. I've made buns, rolls, and whole bread loafs using this same exact dough every time without a problem. Eat within 3 days as it will probably be going stale around then (as bread without preservatives and other junk should).
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## Ingredients
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* 1 1/2 cups warm water
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* 2 and 1/4 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
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* 1 Tsp sugar
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* 2 Tbsp maple syrup, agave, or honey
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* 1/2 Tbsp salt
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* 3 3/4 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (plus more for rolling / dusting)
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## Directions
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1. Proof the yeast. To do this warm 1/4 cup water to about bath water heat (110 degrees F, 43 degrees C) add active dry yeast and 1 Tsp sugar. Let sit for about 10 minutes, mixture should at least be doubled in size after waiting.
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1. Combine rest of water, yeast mixture, maple syrup (or other sweetener), salt, and flour in a large mixing bowl and stir. The result will be a sticky, rough dough. Use a spoon to stir until well combined and when it can no longer do the job, knead and turn it in the bowl with your hands.
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2. Lift the dough out and lightly grease the bowl with nonstick spray or olive oil. Cover and let rise for 2 hours at room temperature.
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3. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead until dough is elastic. Rule of thumb is 10 minutes of kneading.
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4. Place seam-side down in a lightly greased loaf pan or baking sheet. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 45-60 minutes.
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5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (218 C)* toward the end of the dough resting time and place a metal pan (NOT glass, Pyrex, or ceramic) on the lowest oven rack. Also have 1 cup of hot water ready.
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6. When the oven is preheated, slash the bread 2 or 3 times with a knife, making a cut about ½-inch deep.
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7. Place in oven on middle rack. Then carefully pour hot water into the shallow pan on the rack beneath. Expect it to bubble and steam; then close oven door quickly.
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8. Bake the bread for 26 to 35 minutes, or until deep golden brown and risen. Tapping the top of the loaf should produce a hollow sound.
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9. Remove the bread from the oven and let rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Then carefully remove from pan and transfer to a cooling rack to cool. Let it cool completely before slicing for best results (otherwise it can be doughy in the middle).
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10. Store leftovers in a plastic bag at room temperature for up to a few days. Transfer to freezer for longer term storage.
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## Notes
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* Instant yeast is not recommended as you can't easily tell if the bread will come to life.
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* For whole wheat version use 2 cups of whole wheat bread and 1 and 3/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour.
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* Add sunflower seeds and/or rolled oats for extra flavor/grains.
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* For buns or rolls divide dough into smaller pieces before second rest. Shape them and then let the dough rest. Recommended lowering oven temperature to 350 F and not using water as those will result in a hard crust and potentially dry interior.
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