basic white bread by james beard chef cook baked goods
Randee Mcdewitt
Ingredients
- High-gluten flour [1000g] - For strong structure
- Baking soda [3g] - Natural leavening agent
- Salt [20g] - Enhances flavor
- Active dry yeast [25g] - Leavening and rising
- Warm water [375ml, around 110°F/43°C] - Ideal temperature for yeast activation
- Optional: Sugar [10g] - For faster yeast activity (optional but recommended)
**Keywords:** high-gluten flour, baking soda, salt, active dry yeast, warm water, sugar, white bread, James Beard, basic recipe
Steps
### How to Make Basic White Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide Inspired by James Beard
#### Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 packages active dry yeast (about 1 1/2 teaspoons or 4.375 grams)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil, for greasing
#### Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Wooden spoon or mixer with dough hook attachment
- Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
---
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
1. **Activate the Yeast**: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water with 2 packages of active dry yeast and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar and ensure that the yeast is fully hydrated. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is still alive and ready to rise.
2. **Mix the Dry Ingredients**: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well to ensure there are no lumps of salt or flour.
3. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**: Pour the frothy yeast mixture into the dry ingredients. Begin stirring with a wooden spoon until most of the flour is incorporated. This will be a bit sticky, but that's okay for now.
4. **Knead the Dough**: Once you have a cohesive ball, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If using an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment, attach the hook and knead on medium speed for 5-7 minutes.
5. **First Rise**: Place the kneaded dough back into the large bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. The perfect temperature is around 80°F to 85°F (27°C to 29°C).
6. **Preheat Oven**: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a loaf pan with vegetable oil.
7. **Shape and Final Rise**: Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release any air bubbles. Divide it into two equal parts for two loaves or keep as one larger piece if you're making a single loaf. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them seam-side up in your prepared loaf pan(s). Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise again for about 30 minutes, until nearly doubled.
8. **Bake**: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) while the dough rises. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Insert a toothpick into the center of each loaf; if it comes out clean, they’re done.
9. **Cooling**: Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the bread to set properly without becoming soggy.
---
**SEO-Friendly Tips:**
- Use keywords like "James Beard," "basic white bread recipe," "all-purpose flour," "active dry yeast."
- Include meta descriptions, alt text for images (if applicable), and use header tags (H1, H2) for better SEO.
- Add relevant hashtags when sharing on social media to increase visibility.
Enjoy your homemade basic white bread inspired by the culinary master, James Beard!