How do I Create Round Breads?
- 1). Combine 3.5 cups flour, 1 tbsp. sugar, 2.25 tsp. instant yeast, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup lukewarm milk, and 1 cup lukewarm water in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, until dough forms a smooth and elastic ball. Drizzle in a little more water if it is too dry, or add a little more flour if it is too wet and sticky.
- 2). Grease your hands with olive oil and knead the dough for 5 minutes, making sure to scrape any that has stuck to the sides of the bowl. Form it into a ball, then place it back in the bowl and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Let it rise on your counter for about 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- 3). Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Pull the dough out of the bowl and onto your counter, then press it with the heels of your palms to remove all the air that has built up. Flatten the dough into a big disc and make sure you get all the air bubbles out.
- 4). Roll the edges of the dough disc under with both hands, making a motion as though you are sleeking someone's hair down along the contours of his head. As you roll the dough under, you will notice that it begins to form a ball once more; this is what you want.
- 5). Continue smoothing and tightening the ball, so that all the dough forms a nicely shaped round ball with a smooth and unblemished skin on top. Use the countertop to support the ball and help shape it.
- 6). Place the ball on top of the sheet of parchment paper on your sheet pan. Flatten the ball slightly with the palm of your hand, so that it forms a nice round loaf of bread. Cover it with plastic wrap and set the pan on top of the oven while it preheats so that the dough can do its final rise.
- 7). Brush the dough with a mixture of 1 egg and 1/4 cup of milk once the oven has preheated. Bake the bread for 35 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when you rap it on the bottom with your knuckles. Allow the bread to cool before serving.
