Basic Bread - the Basic of the Basic

Directions

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   1.
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   Lightly oil a sheet of cling film and butter the loaf tin.
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   2.
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   Sift the flour, salt, yeast and sugar into the bowl of a food mixer and mix at the lowest speed.
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   3.
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   Add the water and continue to mix.
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   4.
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   Increase the speed slightly and knead for a further 4 minutes.
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   5.
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    Place the dough in a bowl and cover with the cling film (oiled side facing the dough) and leave for 2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
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    6.
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    Preheat the oven to 230C/gas 9.
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    Return the dough to the food mixer for 1 minute on moderate setting (or knead by hand for 1 minute).
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    Cover with a clean, damp tea-towel and leave them to rise at room temperature for 40-60 minutes.
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    7.
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    Shape the dough to fit into the prepared tin, sprinkle the top with flour and bake for 45 minutes, until the base of the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
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    Cool on a wire rack and serve in slices.