By Intern Brooklyn Walters
Living in such a fast-paced society can be hectic and difficult. I struggle to slow down and enjoy life, but I’ve found that trading social media and constant tasks for slow but useful projects has helped to ground me.
One of my favorite pastimes has quickly become breadmaking. I love the simplicity and slowness of the process.
Initially, I started making my own bread to save money and eat something that I knew every ingredient. Having food that I know is nourishing is very important to my husband and me. It also makes for a great gift for loved ones!
If you too are looking for a project that slows you down and helps you enjoy the simple things in life, breadmaking might be for you!
RECIPE:
(Makes two loaves)
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
2 3/4 cup warm water
Pinch of sugar
1/8 cup honey
1 tbsp salt
2 tbsp avocado oil
6 cups flour
1. Warm the water to around 110° F.
2. Add the water and yeast with a pinch of sugar to a stand mixer. Let the yeast dissolve.
3. Once the mixture is bubbly, add honey, salt, oil, and four cups flour. Mix until ingredients are combined.
4. Add the rest of the flour slowly until mixed.
5. Take the dough out and place it on a floured surface. Knead the dough for about five minutes, then form the dough into a ball.
6. Cover the mixing bowl in oil and place the dough back in the bowl. Make sure the ball of dough gets covered in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until it has doubled in size.
7. After the dough has risen, punch it down to eliminate large pockets of air and divide the ball of dough in half.
8. For each half, roll it out with a rolling pin into a rectangle that has the same length as the bread pan. Roll the dough up into a cylinder, then put it into the bread pan seam side down.
9. Cover the bread pan in plastic wrap and again let the dough rise. Once the dough is peeking over the top of the pan, place it in an oven preheated to 375° F.
10. Bake until the loaves are slightly brown on the top and feels crisp.
11. Take the loaf out of the pan and let it cool on a cooling rack.
12. Enjoy!
TIPS:
· Take off jewelry to avoid having to clean sticky dough off it!
· Use parchment paper to place dough on to knead it; it makes cleanup easier.
· If you’d rather use sugar than honey, use double the amount of sugar in place of the honey.
· Local honey is the best!