(Makes 1 small loaf)

Ingredients:

  • 250g white strong/bread flour or wholemeal flour
  • 1tsp salt
  • 1tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 260ml whole milk or buttermilk
  • 1 pie dish, greased with vegetable oil, or 1 baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Method:

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F), gas mark 6.  

In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, salt and bicarbonate of soda together and set aside. This is the dry mixture.

Pour the milk or buttermilk into the dry mixture. Mix until it just comes together. Do not overmix.

Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour. Transfer the dough to the floured work surface. Shape the dough into a ball and flatten slightly. Roll generously in white or wholemeal flour.

Slash a deep cross over the bread using a sharp, serrated knife.

Place into a prepared pie dish or on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until baked through. To check if baked through, tip one upside down and tap the bottom - it should sound hollow.

If not ready, return to the oven for a few minutes. Otherwise, set on a wire rack to cool.

How to Make Bread by Emmanuel Hadjiandreou is published by Ryland Peters & Small, priced £19.99. Readers can buy the book for £17.99, including postage and package, if they phone Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quote the reference GLR 5QB