With The Great British Bake Off being back on the telly, we’ve been inspired to step up our baking antics. In the spirit of next week’s programme being all about baking bread, try one of our 6 bread baking recipes from Cornwall-based BakerTom
BakerTom is one of the new school of bakers who are bringing back traditional artisan breadmaking. His shops in Falmouth, Truro and bakery cafe in Pool, stock beautifully crafted loaves. He’s also a keen advocate of home baking and the benefits of ‘real bread’.
Try one of his recipes.
‘Soda bread is quick and simple to make, yet delicious. It doesn’t include yeast, so won’t need kneading or resting like most breads and you can add any flavours you wish – try adding apple and fennel seeds to give it a fruity, wholesome twist,’ says Tom Hazzledine of BakerTom.
‘Focaccia is one of my all time favourite breads to bake. It has the best of all worlds: a fried bottom from the olive oil and a beautiful golden, herb crust on top,’ says Tom.
Read food team’s test kitchen notes too.
‘This is a delicious loaf – perfect for a lazy Sunday morning breakfast,’ says Tom.
‘Substitute some of the water for olive oil to soften the crumb. Serve with a crisp, chilled Italian wine, cold meats and dips,’ says Tom.
‘For a top crust, use a clean plant sprayer to mist the oven before placing your dough in. Avoid adding extra flour when kneading the dough. Always weigh the water into the mix – and it’s always better slightly cooler than hotter. Experiment with different flours by substituting half wholemeal or rye flour, or try adding nuts or black treacle,’ says Tom.
‘With the cold January nights upon us bake this hearty bread to serve with winter casseroles,’ says Tom.
