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White bread

Paul Merrett from Food Uncut
Take time to make crusty flavoursome bread the good old fashioned way with Paul Merrett's easy-to-make recipe

White bread

Method

1. Put the flour into a mixing bowl, add the salt and yeast and stir with a wooden spoon, until fully combined.

2. Spoon the olive oil and sugar into the measuring jug and top up with warm water to just over the 300ml mark. Stir well.

3. Add the oily water to the flour a little at a time and using either a wooden spoon or your hands, work the water into the flour and gradually bring it together into a mass of soft slightly sticky dough. If necessary, add a little extra water or flour to give the correct consistency.

4. Dust the work surface and your hands lightly with flour. Turn the dough out and knead for 5 minutes or so, until smooth and elastic.

5. Knead for a further 5 minutes.

6. Form the dough into a neat ball, return it to the bowl and cover the bowl with cling film (brushed with oil) or a damp tea towel.

7. Leave the dough in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until doubled in bulk.

8. Turn the dough out and knead for 2 minutes.

9. Divide the dough into two equal sized pieces and form each piece into an oblong. Fold one end into the centre and then the other across the top. Repeat with the other piece.

10. Lightly grease 2 loaf tins and sprinkle each with a dusting of flour. Place one piece of dough in each, then place them side by side in an oiled polythene bag (or cover with a damp tea towel). Leave to rise for about 30 -50 minutes, until the dough rises above the tops of the tins.

11. Preheat the oven to 220C/gas 450°F (230°C). Bake the loaves on the centre shelf for 30-40 minutes, or until they sound hollow when the bases are tapped.

12. Place the loaves back in the oven upside down (and out of their tins) and cook for a further 5 minutes, to crisp the base and sides. Cool on a wire rack.

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Serves: Makes 2 x 450g loaves

Prep: 20 min, plus 3 hrs rising time
Cook: 45 min

Ingredients
500g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting
2 tsp Salt
1 sachet instant yeast granules
2 tbsp Olive oil
2 tsp Sugar
300ml warm water
butter or olive oil, to grease the tins