Basic Loaf Bread

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 teaspoons dry yeast
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 3/4 cup bread flour
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Recipe

• 1 sprinkle the yeast over 1 1/4 cups water at about 70 degrees.
• 2 leave to dissolve about 5 minutes.
• 3 mix flour and salt together in a bowl.
• 4 make a well in the center of the mixture and pour the disolved yeast mixture into the well.
• 5 stir the mixtures together using your fingers in a circular motion.
• 6 as dough forms, knead it with the heel of your hand, either in the bowl or on a lightly floured surface.
• 7 add remaining water as needed.
• 8 knead until dough is elastic.
• 9 let relax (rise) until doubled in size.
• 10 once the dough has relaxed and doubled in size, lightly punch down the dough.
• 11 form a ball and let relax.
• 12 to know when dough has relaxed enough, press one finger into it.
• 13 if the finger impression stays, the dough has relaxed long enough.
• 14 if the impression doesn't stay, it hasn't relaxed long enough.
• 15 shape the dough into a long loaf.
• 16 turn the dough over into a cup of flour spread on the countertop.
• 17 let rise until double in size.
• 18 carefully turn dough over and place on cookie sheet.
• 19 cut five diagonal slashes, each about 1/4 inch deep, across the top of the loaf.
• 20 bake at 425 degrees until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• 21 to check, remove loaf from pan.
• 22 holding it with a towel over your hand, tap the bottom of the loaf.
• 23 if there is a hollow sound it is done.