With lockdown and Covid restrictions, baking has been on the rise and became a more regular occurrence,even in households who never baked before!! This recipe here is quite a basic bread but the resulting loaf is really lovely and the beautiful baking smells are so comforting especially on darker Winter days. For more fibre, use a strong wholemeal flour.

Ingredients:

500g strong flour (And a bit more for kneading)
1.5 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil (Helps give the bread a nice colour!)
1x7g sachet active dry yeast
3 teaspoons sugar
300ml warm water (Not too hot or it will kill the yeast) Preheat a casserole or pyrex dish with a lid for 30minutes at 250’c (has to have a lid in order for the bread to rise in the oven)
Method:

1. Mix dry yeast well into the flour in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add sugar, salt and olive oil. Then add the warm water.
3. Mix well until it combines together to form a dough.
4. Sprinkle some flour on a flat surface. Knead the dough for 10-15mins until the dough is less sticky, has a smoother surface and can stretch without tearing.
   If the dough is sticking to your hands, you could coat rub a small amount of olive oil all over your hands.
5. Roll the dough around to form into a ball.
6. Put a small amount of olive oil in a bowl and place the dough ball inside. Completely seal the top of this bowl with cling film.
   Leave to prove (set aside in a warm place) for 2-3hours until the dough has doubled in size.
7. Sprinkle some flour on a flat surface. Knock the air out of the dough by pressing it. Shape again into a ball and leave for 1hour to do a final proof.
8. Score the top of the dough using a sharp knife. This helps the gases release
9. Place the dough in the preheated dish with the lid on for 20minutes at 250’c.
10. Remove the lid and allow bread to cook for a few more minutes in the oven until golden brown.
11. Place on a cooling rack/tray. Allow to completely cool before cutting. This can take up to 2hours.

For school, workplace, sports or community group nutrition talks/workshops please email: niamh@biabites.net See my ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums on ‘Biabites’ Facebook for other food ideas.

Niamh Arthurs BSc, Msc Registered Dietitian