Bread Baking is an art that takes time and effort to master. You must learn to shape your bread correctly, rise it well and bake it at a specific temperature to get the best result.
The basic ingredients of any dough are flour, yeast, water and salt. These are mixed together to form a gluten network which gives the dough its elastic and chewy texture.
To make your own homemade bread, start by measuring the correct amount of flour, salt and spices into a bowl. Next add the water and stir. If the mixture is too stiff, gradually add more water until it forms a soft, smooth dough.
Kneading the Dough by Hand
Unlike other types of baking, kneading by hand is a skill that takes practice and patience to develop. However, it’s worth attempting if you want to achieve a good result.
You can knead the dough by hand using a variety of techniques, including slapping it on the counter, repeatedly bashing it and more. It is very frustrating and takes a lot of work to get the dough to the right consistency, but it can be rewarding in the end.
Once the dough has developed enough gluten, you can form it into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Let it rest in the bowl for 10 minutes, then knead for about 2 minutes. This will develop the gluten in the dough and make it easier to shape.