Torviewtoronto: Loaf Bread

This easy to bake loaf bread can be served with jam or savoury curries. The dough can also be used for pizza.

3 to 3 1/4 cups of flour

1 tbsp instant yeast*

1 tbsp sugar

1 cup warm water (110F)

2 tbsp oil

1 tsp salt

*If you are using active dry yeast first put the yeast, 2 tbsp of the water and sugar and let it froth. Then add the flour, salt, oil and water as needed to form the dough. Let it double and then proceed with the below instructions for the second rise to form the loaf.

Mix 1 cup of flour, instant yeast, sugar, and the warm water in a bowl and leave it covered for half an hour. After 30 minutes you will see bubbles.

Add the rest of the flour, oil, salt and mix it. Using your hands or a mixture with the hook attachment knead to make a soft dough and leave it aside for it to double.

Separate the dough into two halves to make 2 small loaves in a pan such as this 5"x8" structure loaf pan or you can make 1 big loaf in this 34 cm terracotta bread pan.

Flatten the dough to make a rectangle, roll it tight and leave each of the rolled dough on the lightly greased loaf pans. The pan can be greased with oil and a sprinkle of flour or corn meal.

Leave the dough covered in the loaf pan to double. Before placing the risen dough in the oven use a sharp knife and make 1/4" deep slits on top of the dough and apply a little bit of milk to the top, which will give a golden colour to the crust.

Bake the loaves in a preheated 450F oven for half an hour. I keep a tin tray on the bottom of the oven and add boiling hot water into it once I place the bread in the oven to create steam. When the bottom of the bread sounds hollow the bread is baked. Leave it on a wire rack to cool before slicing the bread.