Whole Wheat Loaf With Herbs



We are living in historic times. Covid 19 will be a part of our history, the world is turning upside but the show must go on. We will all emerge a little different after this crisis. I am hoping I will emerge more patient, self-sufficient and with better experiences from the kitchen.

Wanting to bake my own bread at home has been high on my list, however some failed experiments kept me away from it until Covid struck. Lack of availability of a fresh baked loaf inspired me to try again. This time not only did I pass, it was beyond all my expectation.

The smell of a bread baking in the oven is comfortable, its simple, and it remains with you in your dreams.

Ingredients -
  • 240 gm seived wheat flour 
  • 160 gm maida 
  • 2 tsp dry yeast 
  • 1 tbsp sugar 
  • 1 tbsp salt 
  • 1 tbsp oil (any cooking oil)
  • 2 tbsp dried/ fresh herbs ( oregano/ rosemary/ thyme etc) (optional)
  • 1.25 cups luke warm water (105 - 115 f or touch to see if a baby can have a bath with it) 
  • etc oil for greasing the bowl and baking dish
Method -
  • In a bowl add yeast/ sugar and 1/4 cup water and let it rest for two three minutes 
  • Then with a electric hand whisker , whisk the water , yeast and sugar for 5 minutes or until frothy
  • In a separate bowl , mix the maida, wheat flour, salt, herbs together
  • Make a well in the dry ingredients  and pour the yeast liquid  into it
  • Using your hand mix the liquid with the dry ingredients, now add around 3/4 cup water and try and bring the dough together 
  • Add the oil and rest of the water and knead the dough for atleast 10 minutes or until the dough is light
  • The dough should be slightly sticky and not dry. Add more water if needed
  • Grease a bowl with some oil and keep the dough inside the bowl and cover it with a wet cloth. The cloth should not touch the dough, it should cover the bowl
  • Keep aside for 1 hour
  • The dough should double in size
  • After an hour knead down the dough for 2-3 minutes. Deflate it
  • At this stage flatten the dough on a surface using your fingers
  • Fold the two ends of the dough up and pinch it together 
  • Now lift the other two end of dough and pinch it to seal the ends 
  • Please follow the Photos
Please Follow the photographed instructions
  • Lift the dough and put it the pinched side down in a baking pan
  • Let it rest for another 45 minutes. It will again rise and double in size
  • Bake in a preheated oven 180 degrees C for 45 minutes
  • The bread is ready when you tap the top and hear a hollow sound
  • Remove from the oven and let it cool down completely before you slice it

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