Crusty White Loaf
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
- 1 2/3 cups tepid water, as needed
- 9 x 5 in (23 x 13cm) loaf pan
- Stir the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar together in a large bowl.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the oil.
- Stir in as much of the water as needed to make a soft dough.
- Knead on a lightly floured work surface about 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Shape into a ball.
- Turn into a large oiled bowl, and turn to coat.
- Cover with plastic wrap.
- Let stand in a warm place about 1 hour, or until doubled in volume.
- Oil and flour the inside of a 9 x 5in (23 x 13cm) loaf pan, and tap out the excess flour.
- Punch down the dough.
- Shape it into a rough rectangle to fit the pan and place in the pan.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let stand about 30 minutes, or until almost doubled in volume.
- Preheat the oven to 425F (220C).
- Dust the top of the loaf with flour.
- Cut a shallow slash down the center of the loaf.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 400F (200C) and bake for 20 minutes more until the loaf sounds hollow when removed from the pan and tapped on the bottom.
- Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
bread flour, yeast, salt, sugar, vegetable, tepid water, loaf pan
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/crusty-white-loaf (may not work)