Bread is one of the most universal and ancient foods found on nearly every culture’s table. It has been with us for thousands of years, offering a unique texture and flavor to our meals. However, with modern life and the rising cost of food, more and more people are looking for ways to prepare their own bread at home, quickly, economically, and without complicated preparations.
One of the main challenges of making bread at home is the kneading process, which can be time-consuming and tiring. Additionally, some traditional recipes require ingredients like eggs and butter, which are not suitable for everyone, especially those following vegan diets or those with food allergies. In this article, we’ll guide you through the simplest and cheapest bread recipe, one that requires no kneading, no eggs, and no butter. It’s a quick, affordable recipe that results in a delicious, light, and airy bread.
We’ll break down the ingredients, the preparation method, the benefits of baking your own bread at home, as well as tips on how to personalize this bread recipe to your taste. So, get ready to revolutionize your bread-making process with this easy-to-follow recipe!
Ingredients for the No-Knead Bread:
Before you begin preparing your homemade bread, it’s essential to understand the key ingredients that make up this simple recipe. With only six basic ingredients, you can create a delicious bread without the long, complex steps often associated with traditional bread-making. Here’s an overview of the ingredients:
- Water (200 ml or 0.85 cups): Water is one of the most important ingredients in any bread recipe. It helps activate the yeast and forms the dough by binding with the dry ingredients. In this recipe, water also plays a critical role in creating the bread’s consistency. A sufficient amount of water is required to allow the yeast to develop and the dough to rise properly.
- Sugar (25 g or 2 tablespoons): Sugar is added to feed the yeast. While sugar is not necessarily a dominant ingredient in bread, it helps the yeast to develop, enabling the bread to rise faster. Sugar also plays a role in the bread’s crust coloring as it bakes in the oven. It’s important not to add too much sugar as it could alter the bread’s texture and flavor.
- Yeast (3 g or 1 tablespoon): Yeast is the natural leavening agent that makes the bread rise. In this recipe, we’re using instant dry yeast, which is easy to use and doesn’t require any preliminary steps like dissolving it in water. Yeast creates the small air bubbles in the dough, giving the bread its light, airy texture.
- Bread Flour/ All-Purpose Flour (300 g or 2 cups): Flour is the base of any bread recipe. In this recipe, you can use either bread flour, which has a higher protein content, or all-purpose flour. Bread flour gives the bread a firmer texture and better structure, but all-purpose flour works just as well in this recipe for a softer bread.
- Salt (3 g or 1/2 teaspoon): Salt is essential for balancing the flavors and controlling the yeast’s development. Too much salt can inhibit the yeast’s action and prevent the bread from rising properly. Salt also gives the bread a more pronounced flavor and strengthens the crust.
- Olive Oil (20 g or 2 tablespoons): Olive oil is added to give the bread a soft, tender texture. It also adds a slight fruity flavor and a pleasant aroma to the bread. If you prefer a lighter version, you can use vegetable oil or even melted butter if you’re not following a vegan diet.
Step-by-Step Method for Preparing No-Knead Bread:
The preparation of this bread is incredibly simple and fast. You won’t need any kitchen gadgets like a food processor or bread machine, nor will you need to go through long kneading and rising steps. The recipe relies on a long rise time, which gives the bread its airy texture without needing to knead the dough. Here are the detailed steps to make this delicious bread:
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by mixing the flour and salt in a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to distribute the salt evenly throughout the flour. The salt is added directly to the dry ingredients to ensure it is well distributed before adding the water.
Step 2: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water (make sure it’s lukewarm, about 35-40°C or 95-104°F) with the sugar. The sugar helps to feed the yeast and get it activated. Sprinkle the instant dry yeast over the water and sugar mixture, then let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. The yeast will begin to bubble and foam on the surface, indicating that it’s active. If the yeast doesn’t foam, it may be expired, or the water was too hot. In this case, start again with fresh yeast and cooler water.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Once the yeast is activated, add it to the flour and salt mixture. Add the olive oil as well. Mix everything together with a spatula or wooden spoon until you get a rough, sticky dough. There’s no need to knead the dough like in traditional bread recipes. Just mix until all ingredients are incorporated. If the dough feels too dry, you can add a bit more water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough is soft but still slightly sticky.
Step 4: First Rise
Click page 2 for more
