For another easy bread recipe, check out my No Knead Farmhouse Bread. It’s a well known truth that nothing warms up a house as much as the smell of fresh bread. It is the perfect antidote to a miserable day or a rough week. It’s a shame that bread had a reputation for not being worth the effort. Anyone who has bitten into a warm, home fresh loaf knows that’s not true. Fortunately we have recipes like this to make it amazingly easy! I’m fond of this recipe not only because I like the bread it makes but because it was my gateway into bread making. It convinced me that the time to make a loaf was time well spent. I’ve now explored many other bread recipes over the years. I gave it a try because I wanted bakery fresh bread without having to leave my house. The kind of loaf that springs back when you gently push on it instead of collapsing, with chewy crust and loads of flavour.
Making the bread
I tested out a couple of recipes including the famous dutch oven bread recipe and a skillet bread recipe before making a version of my own with a crust I could be proud of. For my version of Dutch oven bread, I’ve combined the two methods to create one all my own. It’s become the bread we go to so often at home because it gives great results in a short amount of time. I also changed the original recipe by adding more salt and reducing the amount of flour. I also increased the oven temperature from 350F to 500F. The bread we got as a result of that experiment was mind blowing. I overheard my kids talking later which brought a smile to my face, “That’s the best bread she’s made!” Pillowy soft but quite substantial with a thick crust, just the way… aha aha… I like it! The bread was so delicious I would happily make it my dinner, nothing else required.
Dukkah spice mix
Even so, a good dip is still appreciated. My kids are all about bread and butter. I, on the other hand, love my bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil with a bit of balsamic vinegar. Or dukkah spice, an aromatic Egyptian side dish consisting of a mixture of herbs, nuts and spices. You can buy it in grocery stores like I did but it’s much tastier if you make your own. I used already made mix and wanted to open up the flavours a bit more. So I put a handful in my mortar and took a pestle to it until I could smell the warm and aromatic mixture filling the room. The dip is as simple as could be. Just pour some good quality extra virgin olive oil in a small plate, sprinkle with some sea salt and dukkah spice. Then dip and dip and dip some more.
More bread recipes
Sourdough Bread Rye Bread No Knead Bread Rosemary Spelt Bread
