This is the easiest recipe using yeast  there is.  It only takes a few minutes to prepare and the results are great.

225g bread flour

1 level teaspoon salt

1 level teaspoon sugar

1 packet (6 or 7g) yeast

150ml warm (not hot) water

 

1.First,  empty the flour into a large mixing bowl. 

2.Add the salt and sugar and mix using fingertips.

3.Next add the yeast and stir round  with a wooden spoon. 

4.Then add the water and shape the dough, taking off all the flour from the side of the bowl, using your hands and fingers . 

It will be stodgy at first but drier as the water is absorbed.

 5.Then on a flat, floured surface, take the dough out of the bowl and knead it for 5 minutes

 ( pushing, pulling and turning the dough over). 

6.When it has formed a ball shape, put back in the bowl and cover it with a tea towel.  Put the bowl in a warm place (sunny kitchen windowsill for example) for about 30 minutes.

We are now waiting for the ball to double in size and there should be a nice, yeasty smell coming from the dough as the yeast works.

7.In the meantime, turn on the oven to 230 degrees C and prepare a baking tray with baking paper covering the whole tray.

8.After 30 minutes, check that the ball has roughly doubled in size and take out of the bowl.

9. Now we can shape the dough back on the floured surface.  Here are some ideas:

·         For a baguette-roll into a long, fat sausage shape

·         For a loaf-shape into an oval

·         Divide into smaller balls (about the size of a golf ball) for rolls or mini rolls.  This recipe makes one loaf  or eight (mini) rolls.

10.Put on the baking tray and bake in the centre of the oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.