To prepare a delicious and aromatic bread, it is essential to follow the correct steps and pay attention to every detail of the process. We start by gathering the necessary ingredients: high-quality flour, salt, fresh yeast, and olive oil. In a large bowl, we place the flour, salt, and yeast, making sure that the salt does not come into direct contact with the yeast, as the latter needs a suitable environment to activate. We gradually add warm water and begin to mix the ingredients with our hands to form a dough. At first, the dough will be a bit sticky, but don't panic! If necessary, you can adjust the consistency by adding flour or water, depending on the desired texture.
Once we have obtained a homogeneous dough, we transfer it to a lightly floured work surface and begin to knead it for about 5 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. It is important to pay attention to this step, as proper kneading develops the gluten, which will give the bread that airy and fluffy structure we desire. Once the dough has been kneaded, we shape it into a round form and cover it with a bowl, allowing it to rise at room temperature in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour. This rising process will allow the dough to double in volume and develop flavor.
After the rising time has passed, the dough will have a fluffy texture. We transfer it back to the work surface, gently knead it to release the air, and reshape it into a round form. Then, we carefully place it in a previously prepared baking tray, covering it with a kitchen towel or a dish to protect it from drafts. We let the dough rise in the tray for another hour, during which we can prepare the oven.
While the dough is rising, we preheat the oven to 230 degrees Celsius, so it will be ready to bake the bread at the right moment. When the dough has risen properly, we sprinkle a little flour on its surface and make a few cuts on top to allow steam to escape during baking. Now, we place it in the preheated oven and bake the bread for 35 minutes until it has a golden and crispy crust.
After the bread is baked, we take it out of the oven and let it cool on a rack. It is the perfect time to enjoy its enticing aroma that spreads throughout the house. Once it has cooled, you can slice it and savor the fresh bread, either plain or with butter, cheese, or jam. This homemade bread, made with love, will surely bring joy and flavor to your table!
Once we have obtained a homogeneous dough, we transfer it to a lightly floured work surface and begin to knead it for about 5 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. It is important to pay attention to this step, as proper kneading develops the gluten, which will give the bread that airy and fluffy structure we desire. Once the dough has been kneaded, we shape it into a round form and cover it with a bowl, allowing it to rise at room temperature in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour. This rising process will allow the dough to double in volume and develop flavor.
After the rising time has passed, the dough will have a fluffy texture. We transfer it back to the work surface, gently knead it to release the air, and reshape it into a round form. Then, we carefully place it in a previously prepared baking tray, covering it with a kitchen towel or a dish to protect it from drafts. We let the dough rise in the tray for another hour, during which we can prepare the oven.
While the dough is rising, we preheat the oven to 230 degrees Celsius, so it will be ready to bake the bread at the right moment. When the dough has risen properly, we sprinkle a little flour on its surface and make a few cuts on top to allow steam to escape during baking. Now, we place it in the preheated oven and bake the bread for 35 minutes until it has a golden and crispy crust.
After the bread is baked, we take it out of the oven and let it cool on a rack. It is the perfect time to enjoy its enticing aroma that spreads throughout the house. Once it has cooled, you can slice it and savor the fresh bread, either plain or with butter, cheese, or jam. This homemade bread, made with love, will surely bring joy and flavor to your table!
Ingredients
- 480 g all-purpose flour, freshly sifted - 15 g fine sea salt - 310 ml lukewarm water - 60 ml olive oil - 9 g dry yeast - oil for preparing the baking tray