Easy white bread

Ingredients:

500g strong white flour , plus extra for dusting

2 tsp salt

7g sachet fast-action yeast

3 tbsp olive oil

300ml water

A great recipe for an electric breadmaker - or do it the traditional way

Makes 1 loaf

Prep time 20 mins

Cook time 25-30 mins plus 2 hours proving

1. Mix the flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre, then add the oil and water, and mix well. If the dough seems a little stiff, add 1-2 tbsp water, mix well then tip onto a lightly floured work surface and knead. Once the dough is satin-smooth, place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Leave to rise for 1 hour until doubled in size or place in the fridge overnight.

2. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Knock back the dough, then gently mould the dough into a ball. Place it on the baking parchment to prove for a further hour until doubled in size.

3. Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Dust the loaf with flour and cut a cross about 6cm long into the top of the loaf with a sharp knife. Bake for 25-30 mins until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath. Cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition per serving:

204 kcalories, protein 6g, carbohydrate 38g, fat 4 g, saturated fat 1g, fibre 2g, salt 1 g

(Recipe from Good Food magazine, October 2005)