Can someone post me a foolproof bread recipe please? I saw one on here that was a soda bread/no yeast, but can't find it now. Also where do you put dough to rise? My kitchen is freezing, no airing cupboard, so my yeast never seems to work .
Simple soda bread:
1 mug s/r flour
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
1/3 mug cold water
Mix into a fairly soft dough (the softer the better - but you do have to be able to handle it), knead (flatten and fold) it half a dozen times then shape into a flattish round.
Place on a prepared baking sheet (either oiled or lined with baking paper), put a deep cross in the loaf, then whack it in the oven - 200/220c or gas 7 - for around 15-20 minutes.
It's done when:
There is a good colour underneath
A skewer (or a tsp handle) comes out clean when stuck into the thickest part of the loaf
And it breaks apart cleanly
This will cost you around 5p.
For a yeast-risen loaf in a cold kitchen I'd use nochocolate's quantities above, but do away with the 2 risings. Shape the loaf as soon as the dough is smooth, then place in your oven or microwave alongside a dish of hot water.
When it's almost doubled in size put it in the oven. But I'd check after about 20 minutes - you may need to move it around or change shelves to get an even bake.
Just a reminder - yeast is often given away by Asda or Tesco, at the bakery counter, whilst Sainsbury's will sell you 50g for I think it's 19 or 20p Certainly you can get 200g for 60p. Keep any fresh yeast in a plastic bag in the fridge - any you don't think you'll use in the next two weeks, tightly wrap it in foil, in a plastic bag, and keep it on the bottom shelf of the fridge. It'll be good for a couple of months.
Whether you can get fresh yeast or not, it's a good idea to have a tin of Allinson's Dried Active yeast (the yellow tub) in your fridge. Costing 64 or 65p it's a great standby and will keep for several years. Look for it by the flour shelves.