Bread
Bread is easier than you think to make. It's largely passive time, waiting for the next step, so it's best suited for when you have time at home. That said, I have definitely taken loaves that are proofing to friend's houses and left them in their fridge, grabbing them before I head home.
Basics
The basic bread process is:
- Prefermentation, e.g. sourdough, poolish, biga, autolyse sort of (optional)
- Combining ingredients
- Bulk fermentation
- Divide/shape
- Proof (second fermentation)
- Bake
Autolyse
Autolyse is not really a prefermentation, but it is helpful for flavor and texture.
In your mixing bowl, mix your flour and water until combined. Then let rest for 20 minutes to an hour before adding the rest of the ingredients.
References
Last modified: 202503011649