Harvest Loaf Recipe

You will need.....       1 lb. plain flour                               

                               2 level teaspoons salt

Preparation Time      1/2 oz. lard

25 minutes                 beaten egg to glaze

                               For the yeast liquid:

Cooking Time           1 teaspoon sugar

30-40 minutes            1/2 pint warm water less 2 tablespoons

                               2 level teaspoons dried yeast

Oven setting           

450ºF; Gas Mark 8    

 

Prepare yeast liquid (see method, recipe Chelsea Buns). Rub lard into flour and salt. Add yeast liquid, mix to firm dough until sides of bowl are clean. Turn onto floured table, knead for about 10 minutes until smooth. Leave to rise in greased polythene bag, loosely tied, until double in bulk.

 

Remove polythene bag, knock out air bubbles and knead dough well on a lightly floured table. Divide into 4 pieces. Roll 3 pieces into strands 20-inches long, join together at one end. Place on a greased baking sheet, plait loosely together and tuck ends underneath. Brush with beaten egg and milk or water. Divide remaining dough in half and roll each strands. Join at one end twist strands loosely. Lay twist along centre of plait, tuck ends underneath. Brush with beaten egg or milk and water.

 

Cover, leave to rise at room temperature, about 30 minutes. Bake in hot oven, 30-04 minutes. Cool on wire tray.

 

 

Quick Tip

 

Strong plain flour is best for yeast recipes as it absorbs liquid easily and kneads quickly into a firm dough. Some plain flours are labeled strong. If not available, buy a top quality plain flour.   

 

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