Make Bread 365- February

DIRECTIONS:
First things first, I learned this trick from a gal named Ally @ourmidwestroots. Take the bowl that you will be making your dough in and fill it with some warm water. This heats your bowl up and allows for a warm environment for your yeast to grow, this step makes all the difference when working with commercial yeast. (I heat up my stand mixer bowl, so I don’t have to transfer the yeast, maple syrup and water mixture to a new bowl).

In a bowl, combine 1 cup of the warm water, the yeast, and 3 teaspoons of the maple syrup or honey, mix together and then cover with a towel. Let stand in a warm place until foamy, about 5 minutes. The foam will get really big and this is how you know your starter is active. In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine 4 cups of flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the yeast mixture, the remaining 1 cup of warm water and 1/2 cup of olive oil.

Turn the mixer to medium speed and slowly add more flour, mix for 5-8 minutes. The dough will form a ball and pull away from the sides. If the dough is still sticky, add your extra flour of 1- 1 ¼ cups. Your dough should bull away and have a playable but not sticky texture.

Take your bowl and remove the dough, add a splash of oil and place your dough back into the bowl. Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil onto a cookie sheet or pan of your choice. Punch down the dough to release the air. Place it on the prepared pan and press it out with lightly oiled hands to fill the pan, pushing your fingers into the dough to create small pockets/divots in it. Lay a kitchen towel over the pan and place the dough in a warm area to rise until fluffy, another 1 hour rise.

During your final rise time, preheat the oven to 425°F.

After risen, add your toppings – onions, tomatoes, bell pepper, Italian seasoning. Anything that you would like to garnish it with. Pop into the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cut and serve.

Make Bread 365
I hope you enjoyed the first month of #makebread365, I have so enjoyed seeing your sandwich loaves, seeing you spend time with your children in the kitchen and hearing your positive feedback of how this challenge is changing your lives. This is an incredible movement, taking back our bread, and I am so thankful you joined me.

If you want to share your trials and successes, be sure to link up with thousands of other bakers across the world using the hashtag #makebread365 on Instagram.

Additional (Optional Equipment)
Wonder Mill – Grain Miller, Very beginner Friendly
Harvest Mill– Grain Miller – intermediate Friendly
Bosch Mixer
Quality Bread Flour ( King Arthur, Central Milling)
Redmonds Salt
Wheat Berries