I recently did a speech on making bread at berkhamsted Speakers club. Which went down very well...especially when I produced the sandwiches made from the home made bread!!!!

One or two people have asked me for the recipe I use. It's actually very simple (see below)

Hope you enjoy it

How to make Bread

Ingredients:

• 675g (1.5lb) Strong Plain Flour / Bread flour (White)
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1 sachet of dried yeast
• 1 tbsp oil
• 450ml (3/4 pt) tepid water

Method:

• Sieve the flour with the salt into a bowl and add the yeast and oil.
• Add the water to the bowl and mix until it’s stuck well together and can be turned out as a single lump.
• Turn out the dough onto a floured, heavy board or smooth surface and knead for at least 10 minutes until it forms a smooth and elastic dough.
• Lightly oil a clean bowl (that is twice the size of the dough) and also lightly oil one side of a  piece of cling film, return the dough to the bowl, cover with the oiled cling film and put in a warm place (not too hot) until dough doubles in size. This can take 1 – 2 hours depending on the temperature
• Turn out the dough onto a floured surface, cut in half with a sharp knife then lightly knead each piece before placing them into a  lightly oiled loaf tin. At this point you could cut one half into 3 pieces and roll each one into a long strip then plait them tucking the ends under.
• Leave in a warm place again until they have doubled in size again.
• Heat the oven to 230 C / 450F / Gas 8. Trying not to bump or knock the dough, put it in the middle of the oven and bake until brown on top (about half an hour). Take out the bread and remove from the tin(s). If, when you tap the bottom of the loaves, they sound hollow, they’re done. If not, bake for a further 10 minutes without tins.
• Important - Allow to cool well before cutting.