Evil Inc Monthly 20 Baking Bread: A Comprehensive Guide to the Art of Breadmaking

Bread, the staff of life, has been a staple food for centuries. It is a versatile food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you prefer it sliced and toasted, slathered with butter and jam, or used as a base for sandwiches or pizzas, bread is a food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Evil Inc Monthly #20: Baking Bread

by Gunter Tschauder

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22588 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	17 pages

FREE

Baking bread may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually a relatively simple process that can be mastered with a little practice. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of baking bread, from choosing the right ingredients to perfecting your technique. We will also provide you with a variety of bread recipes that you can use to experiment with different flavors and textures.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

The first step to baking bread is choosing the right ingredients. The most important ingredient in bread is flour. Flour is made from wheat, rye, or other grains. The type of flour you use will determine the texture and flavor of your bread.

For a basic white bread, you will need all-purpose flour. All-purpose flour is a blend of hard and soft wheat flours. It is a good choice for beginners because it is easy to work with and produces a consistent result.

If you are looking for a more flavorful bread, you can use bread flour. Bread flour is made from hard wheat flour. It has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which gives it a stronger gluten structure. This results in a bread that is chewier and has a more open crumb.

In addition to flour, you will also need water, yeast, salt, and sugar. Water is used to hydrate the flour and activate the yeast. Yeast is a fungus that eats sugar and produces carbon dioxide gas. This gas creates the bubbles in bread that give it its characteristic texture.

Salt is used to flavor the bread and to strengthen the gluten structure. Sugar is used to feed the yeast and to give the bread a slight sweetness.

The Baking Process

Once you have gathered your ingredients, you are ready to begin the baking process. The first step is to make a dough. Dough is a mixture of flour, water, yeast, salt, and sugar.

To make dough, you will need to mix the flour and water together in a large bowl. Then, add the yeast, salt, and sugar. Stir until all of the ingredients are combined.

Once the dough is mixed, you will need to knead it. Kneading is the process of working the dough with your hands to develop the gluten structure. Gluten is a protein that gives bread its elasticity and chewiness.

To knead the dough, you will need to fold it over itself and press it down with the heels of your hands. Continue kneading for 5-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Once the dough is kneaded, you will need to let it rise. Rising is the process of allowing the yeast to ferment the dough and produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas will create the bubbles in bread that give it its characteristic texture.

To let the dough rise, you will need to place it in a warm place and cover it with a damp cloth. Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen, you are ready to shape it. You can shape the dough into a loaf, a baguette, or a roll. To shape the dough into a loaf, you will need to divide it into two equal parts. Then, roll each part into a ball. Place the balls in a greased loaf pan and let them rise for another 30 minutes.

Once the dough has risen, you are ready to bake it. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the bread for 30-40 minutes, or until it is golden brown and cooked through.

Once the bread is baked, let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Bread Recipes

Now that you know the basics of baking bread, here are a few recipes that you can try:

• Basic White Bread: This is a simple recipe for a basic white bread. It is a good bread for beginners because it is easy to make and produces a consistent result.
• Whole Wheat Bread: This recipe uses whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. Whole wheat bread is a healthier option than white bread because it is higher in fiber and nutrients.
• Sourdough Bread: This recipe uses sourdough starter instead of commercial yeast. Sourdough bread has a unique flavor and texture that is different from bread made with commercial yeast.
• Baguette: This recipe teaches you how to make a classic French baguette. Baguettes are long, thin loaves of bread that are characterized by their crispy crust and chewy interior.
• Ciabatta: This recipe teaches you how to make a classic Italian ciabatta bread. Ciabatta is a light and airy bread that is characterized by its large, irregular holes.

Baking bread is a rewarding experience that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you are a beginner just starting out or an experienced baker looking to expand your skills, this guide will provide you with all the knowledge you need to create delicious, artisanal bread.

So what are you waiting for? Get started baking today!

Evil Inc Monthly #20: Baking Bread

by Gunter Tschauder

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22588 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	17 pages

FREE