Country Bread

How to prepare country bread

1. Dissolve the yeast in 50ml water and leave in a warm place for 10 minutes. It should form a bit of foam on top if the yeast is active.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour with the salt and sugar. Make a well in the center. Pour the yeast mixture and the remaining water into the well.
3. Mix in the center with your hand, gradually pulling a little flour into the water until all the flour is incorporated. You will get a very soft dough. Continue mixing in circular motions for 1 minute.
4. Place the bowl in a plastic bag and let the dough rise in a warm spot (near a heat source, somewhere between 25-30°C) for 2 hours.
5. Grease a small loaf pan (about 20cm long) with butter or oil.
7. Run your hand along the edge of the risen dough and detach it from the sides of the bowl. The dough will collapse, but that's okay. Don't stir or knead it, just release it from the edges.
8. Pour the dough from the bowl directly into the pan. Place the pan in a plastic bag and let the dough rise for another 30-40 minutes in a warm spot.
9. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220°C. Bake the bread for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 190°C and bake for another 20 minutes.
10. Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool before slicing.

Print