Simple White Loaf

After making my first bread instructable (Peter Reinhart - Lean Bread), I tough it would be a nice idea to post a simpler basic recipe.

In this instructable, I'll explain how to make the most basic bread loaf (imo).

It's a plain white bread; A nice canvas for your creativity.

In my case, I had in mind putting dryed cranberry... but somehow I couldn't find them, so it stayed plain (which is good on his own!).

Always the same basic ingredients :

- 17.65oz / 500g Bread Flour
- 11oz / 312g Water
- 1½ tsp (0.21oz / 6g) Yeast
- 1½ tsp 0.31oz / 9g) Salt

Make 2 1lb loaves(or 4 mini loaves in my case)

Remember to use lukewarm water!

You need some basic tool. If you're lucky to have a stand mixer or bread machine (dough mode), use it!

But this can be made by hand

By Hand :
- Large bowl
- Large wooden spoon
- Kitchen scale
- Your hands

With Mixer:
- Stand mixer or Bread machine
- Dough hook or bread machine paddle
- Kitchen scale

Mix the yeast and water.

Let rest for 5 min.

Add the flour and salt to the bowl all at once

Mix until the dough holds its mass together.

When the dough is holding a "shape", start to knead.

By Hand:
- Remove from the bowl and place on a oiled surface.
- Oil your hands and start to knead.
- Stretch, fold then push down with your palm.
- Turn 90 degree and repeat until the dough is elastic and smooth.

With Mixer:
- Let the mixer knead until the dough is smooth. The bowl should be almost clean when it's done.

Bread needs some time to rest and develop all it's goodness. This is called proofing.

- Form in a round ball and place in a oiled bowl.
- Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap.
- Let rest for 1h or doubled in size

As useless as it sounds, your bread will be far better with this second proofing. You really don't want to skip this step.

- Uncover.
- Punch down with your fist.
- Form into a ball (doesn't need to be perfect)
- Cover with a cloth
- Let rest for 1h (again!)

Finally, it's almost done with all this waiting time!

- Take the dough out of the bowl (try to keep the air bubbles!)
- Separate in 2 (or 4) equal parts.
- Shape into a log as big as your loaf pan
- Put into a lightly oiled loaf pan
- Cover
- Let rest for 1h

30 min prior to baking, preheat your oven to 425F

As with any other food, baking is the most important part of it.

- Uncover.
- Score the loaves as you like or leave them plain.
- Put into your preheated oven on the middle rack.
- Bake for about 25-30 min. (or 20-25 min. for mini loaf)
- The crust should be golden brown.

Finaly! We're done...almost!

- Remove from oven
- Remove from loaf pan
- Let cool on a cooling rack for an 1h
- Cut into slices and eat!

Don't stop here, try new things!

For me, bread is a canvas for creating wonderful mixes. Think of it as a solid bloc pizza!

- Add nuts, fruits, chocolate... whatever !
- Try other flour types
- Try other liquid (milk, beer, tea? why not)

I hope this instructable will spark the bread baker in of you.

Have fun!