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Ingredients:
250 g (2 cups) bread flour
7 g (1 packet or 2 ¼ tsp) instant dried yeas
200 ml (¾ cup + 4 tsp) warm water
2 tsp caster sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil, for glazing
Handful of white and black sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
Activate the yeast: Add the yeast to the well in the dry ingredients. Pour the warm water into the well and mix gently until just combined.
Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
First rise: Lightly oil a bowl. Place the kneaded dough in the oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shape the dough: Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently deflate the dough and divide it into 4-6 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round or oval loaf.
Second rise: Place the shaped loaves on the prepared baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Brush and bake: Brush the tops of the loaves with olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired. Using a sharp knife, make shallow diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cool and enjoy: Remove the bread from the oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
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