Many amateur bakers baulk at the idea of making their own bread. I understand the hesitation: the yeast has to activate properly, it needs to rise (sometimes more than once), to be kneaded, and if any of those elements doesn’t happen correctly you might be left with something inedible.
Having said that, however, baking your own bread is incredibly rewarding and, with a bit of practice, becomes very easy. Start with one of the recipes below and you’ll soon find turning out your own bread is a breeze, saving you in turn money, waste, and packaging – and impressing your friends and whanau no end.
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ALLYSON GOFTON/Supplied
This seed bread, with its crispy outside crust and its moist crumb, is absolutely delicious.
Seedy bread
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This seed bread, with its crispy outside crust and its moist crumb is absolutely delicious. The recipe will make two generous-sized loaves and the bread freezes well.
ERIN CLARKSON/Supplied
This squishy dough can be made up to two days in advance.
Cheesy garlic bread
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Garlic bread is super delicious – cheesy garlic bread is extra delicious. It’s great served alongside a soup or lasagne, and can be made with or without the cheese.
ERIN CLARKSON/Supplied
You can make perfect, crusty homemade bread with only five ingredients.
Easy ciabatta bread recipe
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This recipe is not a traditional ciabatta bread, it is easy to make, requires no fancy tools or equipment, and has an overnight rise in the fridge, meaning you can pop the dough out and bake whenever you are ready.
