RAMADAN MUBARAK TO THE ENTIRE MUSLIM COMMUNITY!

Ramadan 2018 has officially started and I am beyond excited. To start the first fast, I decided to prepare some delightful homemade bread. One of the best feelings is enjoying homemade meals and homemade bread is one of my absolute favorites!

Now I am sure making bread at home can sound intimidating but it really isn’t. Here is my easy to follow recipe.

YIELD: 2 loaves (smaller bread pans)

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt (can be adjusted)
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 packet yeast (11 g) (a little more than a tbsp)
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (approx)
• 1 egg, beaten (optional) i rarely use it but it is up to you. It’s usually to ensure that brown color on top the bread.
• 1 tbsp olive oil

NOTE: If you have the regular larger size bread pans use the following measurements.

YIELD: 2 loaves (large bread pan)

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 cups all purpose flour
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp salt (can be adjusted)
• 6 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 1/2 packet yeast (17 g)
• 2 1/4 cups warm water (approx)
• 1 egg, beaten (optional for brushing top of bread before baking)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine all dry ingredients and mix well.
2. Add melted butter and water to the dry ingredients. Add the water slowly to ensure that you don’t add more than is needed.
3. Knead properly for approximately 7-10 mins until a smooth ball is formed. The dough should be soft. Place in a bowl and lightly coat with olive oil.
4. Cover with a damn kitchen towel or plastic and let it sit for roughly 1 hour (can vary depending on the temperature of the surroundings)
5. After one hour, punch the dough to let it sink and carefully remove it from the bowl.
6. Separate into 2 dough balls and shape into bread loaves.
7. Place them in greased bread pans and set aside for half hour to one hour (again depending on the temperature in the surrounding area)… I usually leave mine for about an hour.
8. Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.
9. Bake for 25-30 mins or until golden brown on top if using 4 cups of flour. Bake for 30-35 mins or until golden brown on top if using 6 cups of flour.

 

Check out the video here:

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE:

• Kneading the dough properly is key to a good loaf of bread. Take your time and knead the dough. I usually place it on the kitchen counter and use both hands. It makes it easier. Lightly flour the counter if necessary but do not add too much flour as you can increase the chances of the bread being dry when baked.
• Another key point to remember is the rise time. Allow the dough to rest properly. Depending on how hot the area is, less an hour rising time should be sufficient. Ideally the dough should rise to just above the rim of the bowl it’s in.
• The choice of butter is another important part. As Trinis we tend use Blueband in everything and yes I love the taste but it is not butter. The butter I used was Kerrygold unsalted (silver pack). Butter tends to be better for baking as it produces a better quality.
• Salt content must be remembered as well. If you choose to use a salted butter in a recipe that specifies unsalted, you should cut the amount of salt used in the recipe or you will end up with a salty product.

I absolutely love homemade bread. Many people might say it involves too much time to make etc but that feeling of eating anything homemade is definitely worth it for me.

Thank you as always for taking the time to read this blogpost. I hope you give the recipe a try. I guarantee your family will enjoy it!

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