Homemade bread might not be the first idea that comes to mind when you think of Valentine’s Day. But it makes a thoughtful addition to that special breakfast in bed or your romantic evening meal.
Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than something that has taken you time and care and is good for your partner. Why is homemade bread a great surprise for your partner? Besides being delicious, freshly baked bread will probably be the last thing they are expecting and it can be enjoyed by the both of you.
Everyone does flowers; everyone does chocolates but who does a nutritious loaf of homemade bread that has taken time and care to make?
Share the love – baking bread is good for your partner and you
Baking bread is a brilliant and impressive life skill to have under your belt. Not only will you learn something new, you can genuinely surprise your loved one with the thoughtful act of creating a loaf, filling you with a great sense of achievement.
And it will benefit you – taking the time out to mix, knead and witness something come together from just a few ingredients, calms the mind and brings you to the present moment. You cannot do anything else when kneading bread – no checking social media, no answering emails – immersing yourself in the task at hand frees your mind. This leaves you in a better frame of mind to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the best way possible ;-) The therapeutic benefits of baking bread are undeniable.
Bake your way into your partner’s heart
Easy Rustic Loaf Recipe
Ingredients -
265g of lukewarm water
350g of Risen’s Mighty White Flour
12g of salt
1 tbs of instant yeast
2 tbs of sugar
2 tbs of olive oil
Method -
Allow approx. 4 hours
Combine the water, yeast and sugar in a bowl.
Gradually add in the flour, then add the salt and the oil
Mix well until fully incorporated and the dough has formed a ball
Knead for 2 – 3 minutes on a lightly floured worktop until the dough becomes smoother and less shaggy
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a tea towel and put it somewhere draft-free for about an hour or until it has doubled in size
Turn the dough out on an oiled surface and press out into a rectangle shape. Roll the dough up from the long edge and pinch each end together to seal
Put your loaf on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, seam side down. Cover with a tea towel again and let the loaf rise for a second time, usually for about an hour.
Preheat your oven in the meantime to 200C
Slash the top of the loaf with 4 - 5 slashes and place it on a rack in the centre. Pop 4 ice cubes in an oven proof dish on the bottom to create steam, helping you to achieve a crispy crust. Be quick, do not let the heat of the oven escape too much.
Bake for 25 – 30 mins until golden and hollow-sounding when you tap the bottom.
Leave to cool and voila! All you need is bread, guys....
Choose the best flour for your heartfelt baking this year
Ultimately, the flour you choose will effect the quality and nutritional content of your bread. That’s why here at Risen Flour we purposely source sustainably farmed flour, milled in one of the finest grain-growing regions of Austria. Our #superflour is also additive and GMO free. And our millers respect the land – they look after it by replacing the nutrients in the soil and using less pesticides than typical commercial farming. What’s not to love?
Head over to our website now, grab a bag of Risen’s Mighty White Flour and get your bake on this Valentine’s Day.
You may find baking bread is more than just a February 14th thing!
