Rye bread

Fluffy and Crunchy Oven-Baked Bread: A Home Bakery Recipe

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 10-12 slices

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to enjoy a slice of freshly baked bread, with a crunchy crust and a fluffy crumb, just like those from bakeries? Well, today I will reveal to you the secret of a simple and healthy bread recipe that will make you feel like a professional baker right in the comfort of your own kitchen. This recipe is not only delicious but will also bring happiness to your home, especially when the enticing aroma of fresh bread fills every corner.

Necessary ingredients:

- 1 kg of dark flour (or a mix of white flour with bran)
- 50 g of fresh yeast
- 250 ml of milk
- White flour (for the starter)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil
- Warm water (about 500 ml)

The story behind the recipe:

Bread has been a staple food in many cultures over time, symbolizing not just sustenance but also community. By making this recipe, you connect to ancient traditions that date back thousands of years when people baked their bread at home, ensuring that the ingredients were of the highest quality. This recipe combines authentic taste with nutritional benefits, providing you with bread that is not only tasty but also healthy.

Step by step – Your guide to perfect bread:

1. Preparing the starter: Start by warming the milk slightly. Be careful not to boil it! Warm milk is essential to activate the yeast. Pour the milk into a deep bowl and add the crumbled yeast. Mix well until the yeast is completely dissolved. Then, add a teaspoon of sugar and a little salt (about 1/2 teaspoon).

2. Adding the flour: Now comes the exciting part! Gradually add white flour, continuously mixing until the mixture becomes like a thin cream, similar to that used for pancakes. It is important that the kitchen is warm and quiet, as this environment helps the yeast to rise.

3. Letting the starter rise: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it sit in a warm place for about 10-15 minutes, or until the starter doubles in volume. You will notice how it becomes fluffy and lively.

4. Sifting the dark flour: While waiting for the starter to rise, sift the dark flour into another bowl and warm the water, about 500 ml.

5. Forming the dough: Once the starter has risen, make a hole in the center of the dark flour and pour in the starter, olive oil, and a little of the warm water, mixing until you get a smooth dough. Here, it is important to add the water gradually so that the dough does not become too soft.

6. Kneading: Now comes the part that will require a bit of work, but we promise it’s worth it! Take the dough out onto a work surface and start kneading it. Kneading should last about 15 minutes, and the idea is to oxygenate the dough, making it fluffy. You can also use a little oil to help achieve a soft texture.

7. Letting the dough rise: After you finish kneading, place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover it with a towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 - 2 hours, or until it triples in volume.

8. Shaping and second rise: After the dough has risen, take it out of the bowl and shape it into the desired form (you can choose a round or a longer loaf). Place it in a greased baking tray and let it rise again for 30 minutes.

9. Baking: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. When the dough has risen, place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the bread for about an hour, or until it is golden and crunchy on the outside. An effective trick is to place the tray on a brick in the oven to reduce the risk of burning the bottom and to achieve truly bakery-style bread.

10. Cooling and serving: After the bread is baked, take it out of the oven and let it cool on a rack. You definitely won’t resist the smell, but it’s essential to wait a few minutes before slicing it. Enjoy warm slices with butter or your favorite toppings.

Serving suggestions and variations:

- You can add pumpkin or sunflower seeds to the dough for extra crunch and nutrients.
- A delicious idea would be to serve the bread with a creamy vegetable soup or a hummus dip, creating a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors.
- You can personalize your bread by adding dried herbs or garlic for a more intense flavor.

Nutritional information:

This bread is rich in fiber due to the whole flour, which aids digestion and keeps you feeling full. Additionally, olive oil adds healthy fats, and fresh yeast contributes to a healthy metabolism. A slice of bread has about 150 calories, but this can vary depending on the added ingredients.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use dry yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast, but adjust the amount to about 15 g.

2. How can I tell if the bread is baked?
Tap gently on the bottom of the bread; a hollow sound indicates that it is baked. You can also check with a kitchen thermometer; the internal temperature should be about 90 degrees Celsius.

3. How can I keep the bread fresh?
Bread is best kept in a cloth bag, in a dry place. You can freeze slices to consume later.

I hope this recipe inspires you to test your imagination and enjoy the pleasure of baking bread at home. Remember, cooking is an art, and every loaf you bake is a step closer to becoming a master baker! Enjoy your meal!