A Bread Tutorial

While baking a loaf of bread for dinner yesterday, I decided to document the process via photographs.  I used this recipe, which is easy to make and produces a tasty loaf. 

I placed the yeast in my mixing bowl, added the water, sugar and salt and mixed well. (I use my Kitchen-Aid stand mixer to make all my bread). Then I added flour (King Arththur all purpose for this loaf) a little at a time and mixed the dough until everything was thoroughly incorporated. 

I covered the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise for an hour.  Then I heavily dusted my hands with flour, took the dough out of the bowl and (continuing to dip my hands in flour) I shaped the dough into a free form loaf.  I placed the dough onto a piece of parchment paper, covered with a towel and let rise for another hour.

After the second rising, I preheated my oven to 350 degrees and slashed the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.  I use a Pampered Chef baking stone to bake my free form loaves of bread and I always place my stone on the oven rack before pre-heating the oven - this way it preheats along with the oven and is extremely hot when I place the bread (still on the parchment paper) on it.

I bake the bread for approximately 30 minutes or so.  You will know when it is done when the loaf is a deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the top.  Remove from the oven and (if you have enough willpower) let it cool a while before eating.

As this is a free form loaf, we didn't slice it - we just grabbed a big chunk to eat.  And it was delicious!