RECIPES | How to make perfect and fresh bread, five ways

There's nothing quite as delicious and satisfying as making bread from scratch. It's real soul food that starts with the unique aroma that fills the home with anticipation of a warm slice of bread slathered with butter. 

BASIC WHITE BREAD

Bread is best eaten fresh on the day of making, or can be frozen for up to three months.

Makes: 18 slices

Prep and Cooking Time: 60 mins

Ingredients:

375g (3 cups) cake wheat flour

5ml (1 tsp) table salt

1 sachet instant yeast

10ml (2 tsp) sugar

160ml (⅔ cup) warm water

125ml (½ cup) warm milk

30ml (2 tbsp) butter or margarine, melted. Or use same amount of vegetable oil

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, salt and yeast. Add the sugar and mix through the flour.
2. Combine the warm water and milk with the butter or oil and, using a round-bladed knife, add to the flour mixture and stir through. If too dry, add extra warm water.
3. The mixture can either be kneaded by hand on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic, or placed in the bowl of an electric mixer with a dough hook fitted and kneaded for 5 minutes.
4. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl — pour 5ml (1 tsp) oil into bowl and spread around with your hand, this stops the dough from sticking to the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and stand in a warm place, like a sunny kitchen counter, for about 40 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.
5. Preheat the oven to 180ºC and spray a 22cm x 9cm loaf pan. Gently knead the dough on a floured surface for a minute then divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a ball then place side by side in a bread tin. Dust with a little extra flour, cover with plastic wrap or a tea towel. Stand in a warm place for 15 minutes or until well risen.
6. Just before baking the bread using a spray bottle to spray the sides of the oven with water, which causes steam that helps to make the bread rise. Then immediately place the bread pan  in the middle shelf and bake for 30 minutes or until it sounds hollow when tapped. Transfer bread, topside up, to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and enjoying. Don't be tempted to cut the bread while it is still warm as the loaf will have a sticky texture.

CHANGE THE FLAVOUR

Ring the changes using the basic dough to make four different loaves.

WHOLEWHEAT LOAF

Using the basic white bread dough recipe, replace half the cake wheat flour with half wholewheat flour and replace the milk with warm water.