While taking a sliced, frozen loaf from the fridge last night, so that we had toast in the morning I thought I needed to flip through Paul Hollywood’s book again. I have lots of excellent flour, I have fresh yeast, we are in lockdown, there is no excuse not to try and bake some bread.

I did. Cause I can!!!!

Rocky start though. I smashed kitchen aid’s glass bowl. Half of the dough went to the bin, I was worried there might have been pieces of glass in it. I was really upset, as the bowl was a Christmas present 2 years ago, but thanks to The Best Husband on The Planet, a new bowl has been ordered straight away and this apparently has an improved design, that will not come off while the machine is working hard.

So initially I used 500g of strong bread flour, 20 g of fresh yeast, with which I made a quick starter using all the yeast and about 2 tbsps from 500 g of flour. 10 g of salt. 30g of soft, unsalted butter. About 300 ml of cold water. The machine did all the work for me, until it smashed. :-/

It was left to prove for over an hour to more than double in size. Then lightly knocked down and shaped into a ball. I was so excited that I forgot to dust with flour and slash it on top before baking! But that ball still had to prove till doubled up and only then it was baked in the 230 degree oven for about 25 minutes. Recipe says 30 minutes, but mine was quite small, didn’t want it too dark.

Once cooled, it was met with a very enthusiastic reception;

And it was eaten there and then, for lunch. With butter and ham.

I think I might go back to the kitchen and make another one for breakfast, I do have a metal bowl for kitchen aid after all.

Best feeling ever, when things turn out that good!!!!