Brilliant Bread

We really have gotten out of the habit of making bread since we moved up here to Townsville. We used to make it every weekend and kind of took it for granted how lovely it is to make our own. The smell of the yeast is just heady and then when it is baking in the oven the whole house fills with an amazing smell. Who needs air freshener when you can bake? I have always been partial to a fresh baked loaf smothered in good old fashioned butter. Crusty on the outside and that incredible flavour of toasted sesame seeds. MMMMMMmmmmmm

4 cups Bread Flour
400 mils Water
2 tsp Dried Yeast

Little extra Milk
Passion

Place all ingredients in a good stand alone mixer, attach dough hook and mix for a good 4 - 5 Min's on slow speed. Stop mixer and touch dough with finger tip. If it is sticky add a little more flour and mix until combined well. Keep testing as needed. When your finger comes away from the dough without it sticking you have finished. Pull from mixer and knead on a floured surface by hand for a couple of Min's. Then place on a lined baking tray on top of a warming oven at 200 degrees. Cover with a tea towel and leave to rise for 30 Min's.

Once risen, place dough on a floured surface. Don't worry if it seems really soft, stretchy and sticky a bit. Give it a quick knead, then form a long log shape. Brush on some milk and then smother with sesame seeds. With a very sharp knife, cut slash marks into the top of the log about a centimetre deep. Then bake for about 35 to 40 Min's. Once golden and crusty, pull out of the oven and allow to cool till warm. If you can wait that long. I never can. Enjoy :)