The First Attempt.

On Sunday i attempted to recreate what i was told was the easiest bread EVER! Hmm turns out its quite a bit harder than what it seems. The recipe is as followed,

 Mums Plain White Loaf.

Melted butter/ or oil or lard for greasing and brushing

500g (3 1/3 cups) plain flour

2 tsp dried yeast

1 tsp salt

375mls (1 1/2 cups) lukewarm water

Extra water, for brushing


Instructions 

1. Light Coal Range and build up fire to moderate heat.
2. Place the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl and mix well to combine. Make a well in the centre and add the water to the dry ingredients.Ensure that the water is lukewarm.
3. Combine and then bring the dough together in the bowl.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead.
5. Roll into a ball and coat in oil/ butter/ lard. Cover and leave in a warm place for 1 hour or unitl doubled in size.
6. Once the dough has doubled in size, reknead the dough and shape. Place loaf in loaf pan.
7. 
   Allow to rise in warm draught free area for a further 30 - 40  minutes or until doubled in size.
8. Check coal range temperature. Place pan on tray in range and leave for approx 30 minutes, it is cooked when its hollow sounding when tapped on the base.
9. The bread will last 2-3 days without going stale and can be used for toast or cooking after 3 days.
   
   
   
   
   So.... i incounted a wee incident when baking the first loaf, the coal range hadn't been used in a while and the range tray boke in half and took the bread with it, resulting in a black laof that the pet chooks seemed to really enjoy! The second loaf turned out better and as the say the proof was in the eating. My father and his farm worker managed to put away 1/2 a loaf between them and feedback to me that the bread was good but would be better with cheese, herbs and ham. 
   
   
   So overall, a fun if slightly rushed and burnt start to my experiment!