Cooking bread is a great way to unite people because it’s a meal staple. It’s also one of the most satisfying items to cook due to the hard work and TLC that goes into the process. If you’ve never made homemade bread, now’s the time to try it out.
Before making the bread, you’ll want to ensure you’re prepped with the right ingredients from your local grocery store. You’ll need simple ingredients like flour, yeast, salt and water. The ingredients vary depending on which type of bread you’re making, so plan before your grocery store trip. Also, many of these items are cheaper to buy in bulk, so that’s something to consider if you cook bread often.
Proof the yeast
Proofing the yeast is necessary to ensure there are still carbon dioxide bubbles in the bread that allow the bread to rise. Mix the yeast in a dish with warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. For best results, ensure the water temperature does not exceed 110 degrees.
Let the yeast stand for around 5-10 minutes. Once the yeast appears foamy and creamy, it’s time to start cooking.
Understand how to knead the bread dough
Kneading dough takes effort at first, but will practice you’ll get the hang of it quickly. Kneading is necessary for a good loaf of bread because it developed the gluten to ensure it’s fluffy and doesn’t crumble.
To knead the dough correctly, push it away with the heel of your palm, fold it over your fingers and pull it backward. Repeat as many times as possible to develop a strong gluten strain. Do not over-knead or underknead your dough.
Precisely measure your ingredients
Although tempting, you’ll want to avoid eyeballing ingredients for homemade bread. Instead, use precise measurements for a fool-proof loaf. When working with dry ingredients, be sure to level off the ingredients with a knife or other flat surface.
Uniquely score your bread
If you want your loaf to stand out, try uniquely scoring your bread with different lines and shapes to accentuate the shape of the loaf. If you’re going to take it a step further, try adding fresh herbs like lavender to the outside of your loaf to create a floral effect.
Enjoy and happy cooking! Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on how to make the most of your groceries.
