Who doesn't love bread? Especially when it's homemade. The aroma and the warmth of freshly baked bread make the morning better, no?
Yesterday, I tried to bake bread by adding eggs for the first time. And it turned out delicious. Let me share the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon of active dry yeast
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup warm water (around 110°F or 45°C)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
As a true Asian, I usually measure everything with my feeling. lol
Pardon me if anything seems more or less. You can follow any bread recipe from online for the perfect measurements.
The step-by-step process:
First thing first, we need to activate the yeast.
In a small bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy and starts to bloom. This indicates that the yeast is active.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Crack the egg into the well and pour in the activated yeast mixture and vegetable oil or melted butter.
I added a few drops of red color to get a vibrant color. It's optional, you don't have to if you don't like it.
Mix the wet and dry ingredients together until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
My hand measurement went wrong so I added some more flour to make the dough elastic.
Place the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
I placed the kneaded dough in a small pan for another 30-45 minutes to rise again. Then put it on the stove.
My oven is out of service so I made the bread in a big pan by placing the small pan in the middle over a stainless steel Pan Placement Holder. It works like an electric oven.
I don't know what came to my mind, I added a leftover chocolate bar at the last minute before placing the dough on the pan. I'm not sure if it was a clever idea but it sure added a chunky taste to the bread.
If you are using an oven then preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the second rise. It will be good to go. Once the loaf has risen again, you can brush the top with a beaten egg for a shiny crust if desired. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
I didn't follow the traditional recipe and intended to make a fusion. Well, it turned out a different taste but I wouldn't claim it's the best you have ever tried.
It was soft and fluffy, more like a cake than bread. I was wondering if anyone would like to try this but my family loved it. The egg and the chocolate gave it a good kick.
You can follow the traditional recipe. Or if you are crazy like me then go invent your new one. lol
Feel free to customize it by adding herbs, seeds, or other ingredients to suit your taste.
Let me know what you think of this recipe.
I'm so off from Hive for a few days, been busy in my offline life. I hope you are doing fine. Have a great day, everyone.