Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Basic White Bread ($.50 loaf)



Everyone needs to know the most basic of bread recipes. It's very simple, tastes delicious and of course... cheap! I love the smell of fresh bread baking and I love the sense of accomplishment that comes with pulling a loaf from the oven and slicing into it. I also like the idea of avoiding all the preservatives in store bought bread. I've always wondered how a loaf can last up to two weeks before it starts to mold!

Ingredients:

6 cups all-purpose flour (give or take 1/4 cup) (approx. $.56)
2 and 1/4 tsp active yeast (approx. $.25)
2 and 1/4 cup very warm water (free-ish)
3 tbsp granulated sugar (pennies)
2 tbsp canola oil (approx. $.15)
1 tbsp salt (pennies)

Put water in a large mixing bowl with yeast and sugar. Allow to let the yeast activate and begin to foam (takes about 3-5 minutes). Add all remaining ingredients but reserve 3 cups of the flour for now. Mix dough well with either your hands or using a dough hook in a mixer. Add one cup at a time until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Continue to knead dough by hand for about 10-15 minutes or knead for 8 minutes on medium using the dough hook in the mixer.

Grease sides of bowl and roll the dough in it covering the outsides of the dough ball. Cover and let the dough rise using the same technique that I use for my pizza dough for about 90 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size. Then punch down the dough and divide into two balls. Shape each ball into a loaf and place in two 9x5 loaf pans.  Cover and let rise again until doubled in size (about 45 minutes).  Then finally bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes until top is browned and you can make a hallow sound when you tap the top of the loaf. Remove from pans and let cool on a baking rack.

Makes 2 loaves. Around $.50 per loaf!

TIP: Buy yeast in a large quantity container and store in the fridge for 6-12 months if well sealed (I use a mason jar). If you buy yeast in the individual use packets the cost is significantly higher. If you do not bake bread on a regular basis then buying the packets ensures that your yeast does not go bad before you use it all but if you plan to make all your own bread items then buying yeast in bulk is definitely the way to go!

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