| Spanish Bread ~ by José Luís Real First, you need: 1½ tbsp bread yeast, 3 cups warm water 7 cups of white flour 2 tsp salt ¼ cup butter or olive oil (olive oil is better). 1. Mix the yeast in the warm water let sit in a warm place for 10 minutes. Mix the salt with the flour and run through a fine mesh, allowing it to fall into a large bowl. 2. Using your fingers, mix in the oil or butter. Slowly pour in the raised yeast while working the dough with your hands so as to produce a firm dough. Place the dough on a flat surface with some flour sprinkled on it. Knead the dough until it becomes firm and elastic. 3. Grease the bowl and place the dough in it. Cover the bowl with a moist sheet and set in a warm place until the dough has doubled in volume. 4. Once again, remove the dough and knead it again over a floured tabletop, to remove air pockets and until the dough feels smooth. Return the dough to a covered bowl and let it rest. 15 minutes should be sufficient. 5. Cut the dough as desired to form bars, loafs or balls and place on greased pans. Cut slits in top of bread as desired. Let bread raise on pans 30 more minutes or until the tops of the bars begin to flatten. 6. Place in a very hot oven (450 degrees F) for 30 to 50 minutes, or until the tops of the bars become toasted and they sound hollow when knocked on the bottom. Remove the bread from the pans and let cool. Note: This recipe comes from a panadero (bread maker - baker). It may not come out exactly right the first time, but with practices the results are incredible. I've made a few mistakes, but now it comes out perfect and has that panadería (bakery) flavor. Please feel free to share this recipe with your friends, as long as it keeps the author's name. Thanks! |
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