The Dining Room Inspires…Homemade Bread

Spring 2020 turned a lockdown generation into banana bread extraordinaires; while winter 2021, on the other hand, is calling for the comforting smells of freshly baked bread to warm our senses. So, while we’re spending more time at home this winter, curled up on the sofa away from the cold, why not turn your hand to mastering the simple art of bread baking? After all, what better way to ease yourself into the weekend than sitting down to enjoy a freshly baked slice of buttered bread?

In this recipe provided by one of our chefs, we’ll talk you through how to bake a very simple loaf of bread. The perfect accompaniment to a lunch time vegetable soup, or a delicious treat when served with a variety of different cheeses – however you choose to enjoy it, this easy morning recipe will provide you with an afternoon of indulgence.

What you’ll need:

650g Strong Bread Flour or Plain Flour
7g Fast-Action Dried Yeast
2 tsp Salt
25ml Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
50ml Milk
325ml Warm Water

Kitchen equipment:

Loaf tin
Mixing bowl
Clean surface

How you make it:

1. First, sift the flour into a mixing bowl and use your fingers to make a small well in the centre
2. Then, add the yeast, salt, olive oil and milk into the well you’ve just made and mix it all together using either a spoon or your hands*
3. Next, slowly add in the warm water and continue to mix
4. Once a dough-like consistency has formed, tip it out the bowl and onto a lightly floured surface, kneading it with your hands for 5 minutes or until smooth
5. Place the dough into a different, clean bowl and cover with a damp tea towel or piece of cling film
6. Then leave the dough to rise in a warm place for 90 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size
7. Once it’s doubled in size, tip it back out onto your clean surface and knead for another 2 minutes before gently rolling it into a ball-like shape
8. Next, place the dough into a lightly floured, lined loaf tin and cover with a damp tea towel or cling film
9. Leave the dough to prove again in a warm place for another 45 minutes or until it has doubled in size
10. Preheat your oven to 220c
11. Once the dough is ready, place your tin into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Top tip: To give it the Restaurant treatment, before placing it in the oven, you can dust the top of the bread with flour and gently cut a cross into the bread
12. After half an hour, reduce the temperature of the oven to 200c and leave your bread to bake for another 15 minutes
13. After this time has passed, it’s time to take your bread out of the oven, slice it open and serve with a good helping of salted butter

There you have it, our simple white bread recipe in 13 easy steps. While it may not be the same as dining in Walwick Hall’s beautiful restaurant, we hope that this recipe will warm you up and keep you satisfied until you can, once again, taste our wonderful creations.

*this recipe also works using a mixer with a dough hook. Instead of mixing with your hands or a wooden spoon, use the machine and mix for 5 minutes before kneading.