Homemade bread with yogurt

Homemade Bread with Yogurt – The Perfect Recipe for a Delicious Snack

Who doesn't love the aroma of freshly baked bread? This homemade bread recipe with yogurt is a true culinary treasure that will fill your home with an enticing smell and bring to your table a fluffy and tasty bread, perfect for any time of the day. The yogurt in the mixture gives it an incredible texture and a unique flavor, and the preparation process is simple and enjoyable. Let’s discover together how to prepare this delicacy!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 8

Necessary ingredients:
- 150 ml warm water
- 350 ml country-style yogurt (or natural yogurt, at room temperature)
- 500 g flour (preferably type 650)
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 100 ml oil (olive or sunflower)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt

Step by step for perfect bread:

1. Preparing the yeast:
In a bowl, rub the yeast with the sugar until it becomes liquid. This is when the yeast will activate its fermentation, so make sure to do it well! Add warm water and stir gently. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it sit for 10-15 minutes until the volume doubles and becomes frothy.

2. Adding wet ingredients:
Once the yeast is ready, add the yogurt at room temperature. The yogurt not only improves the texture of the bread but also gives it a subtle flavor and pleasant aroma. Mix well, ensuring that the yogurt is evenly incorporated into the yeast.

3. Incorporating flour and oil:
Start adding the flour gradually, mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until the dough begins to hold together. Add the oil, which will make the bread even fluffier. Continue kneading the dough until it becomes elastic and no longer sticks to your hands.

4. Dough rising:
Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 20 minutes. The dough should double in volume. This is an essential stage, as the fermentation will make the bread fluffy and airy.

5. Shaping the bread:
After the dough has risen, divide it into equal portions and form small balls. Place them in a round detachable baking pan, leaving some space between them as they will expand during baking. Cover again and let them rise for 15-20 minutes.

6. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. When the bread is ready to bake, brush the top with a little oil to achieve a nicely browned crust. Bake the bread for 40 minutes, but if you choose to use smaller molds, like mini loaves, remove them after about 25 minutes.

7. Cooling:
Once the bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a rack. This will allow the steam to escape, keeping the bread crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Useful tips for perfect bread:

- Flour: Choose a good quality flour, preferably type 650, for optimal results. Whole wheat flour can be used in smaller proportions, but it is recommended not to exceed 30% of the total amount, to avoid affecting the texture of the bread.
- Yogurt: If you don’t have country-style yogurt, you can use plain natural yogurt, but make sure it is at room temperature to activate the yeast more efficiently.
- Kneading: Don’t be afraid to knead the dough well; the more you knead, the fluffier the bread will be. Try to knead for about 10 minutes.
- Rising: If the temperature in your house is cooler, you can let the dough rise in the preheated oven at 30 degrees Celsius, with the door slightly open.

Delicious combinations:
This bread is versatile and pairs perfectly with various dishes. You can enjoy it alongside a warm soup, with cheese and olives, or with a spicy chutney. You can also use it to make delicious sandwiches.

Frequently asked questions:
- What can I do if I don’t have fresh yeast? You can use dry yeast, but adjust the amount to about 8 g. Dry yeast needs to be activated in warm water before being added to the dough.
- How can I store the bread? You can keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. It is also excellent frozen. You can slice the bread and freeze it for later consumption.
- How can I add more flavor? You can incorporate herbs or spices, such as rosemary or crushed garlic, into the dough to give it a unique note.

Nutritional benefits:
This homemade bread with yogurt is an excellent source of carbohydrates, proteins, and calcium, thanks to the yogurt. It is also a healthier option compared to store-bought bread, containing natural ingredients and no preservatives.

In conclusion, this homemade bread recipe with yogurt is not only simple but also extremely tasty. Whether you prepare it to enjoy with loved ones or to give as a gift, each slice will bring with it a piece of your heart and soul as a cook. Don’t hesitate to experiment and add a personal touch to this recipe, adapting it to your tastes! Enjoy!