Alright, let’s talk about this dilly bread, you know, the kind that makes your mouth water just thinkin’ about it. I ain’t no fancy baker, mind you, just a regular person who likes good food. And this here bread, well, it’s good food, I tell ya.
First off, you gotta get your stuff together. Flour, that’s the main thing. Don’t skimp on it, get the good stuff, you know? And then you need some yeast. Now, yeast is a tricky fella. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don’t. But don’t you worry, I’ll tell you how to make it work.
This dry milk thing, someone told me it makes the bread puff up real nice. So, I throw in a couple of spoonfuls. Makes the bread soft too, like a baby’s bottom, ha! Keeps it fresh longer, so you ain’t gotta eat it all at once, though you might want to!
- Flour – the good kind
- Yeast – gotta be fresh
- Dry milk – for a fluffy bread
- Salt – just a pinch
- Sugar – a little sweetness
- Warm water – not too hot, not too cold
- Dill – the star of the show!
- A bit of oil – makes it soft
Okay, so you got your stuff. Now what? Well, you gotta mix it up. Get a big bowl, dump in the flour, the yeast, the dry milk, a pinch of salt, and a little bit of sugar. Mix it all up good.
Then, you gotta add the water. Now, the water, it can’t be too hot, or it’ll kill the yeast. And it can’t be too cold, or the yeast won’t wake up. It’s gotta be just right, like baby bear’s porridge, you know? Warm, but not too warm. Pour it in slowly, mixin’ it with your hands. Get your hands in there, don’t be afraid to get dirty!
Once it’s all mixed up, you gotta knead it. Kneadin’ is important, it makes the bread strong. You gotta push and pull and fold it, like you’re wringin’ out a wet towel. Do it for a good long while, maybe ten minutes or so. Your arms might get tired, but it’s worth it, trust me.
Now, this is important. You gotta let the bread rise. That’s what the yeast does, it makes the bread all big and fluffy. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it up, and put it in a warm place. Now, someone told me a trick. Turn your dryer on high for a bit, then turn it off. Put the bowl in the dryer, and it’ll rise up real quick. Works like a charm, I tell ya! Let it rise until it doubles in size, maybe an hour or so.
Once it’s risen, you gotta punch it down. Yeah, you heard me right, punch it! Get all that air out. Then, you gotta shape it into a loaf. You can make it round, or you can make it long, whatever you like. Put it in a loaf pan, cover it up again, and let it rise again, for about half an hour this time.
While it’s rising, turn on your oven. You want it nice and hot, maybe 375 degrees or so. Once the bread has risen again, put it in the oven and bake it for about 30 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap it.
Oh, and I almost forgot! You gotta put in the dill! Chop it up real fine, and mix it into the dough after you knead it the first time. That’s what makes it dilly bread, after all. Don’t be shy with the dill, the more the better!
And a bit of oil, too. Don’t need much, just a little bit to make the bread soft. You can use any kind of oil you like, but I like to use olive oil, it gives it a nice flavor.
Now, when it comes out of the oven, let it cool for a bit before you slice it. I know it’s hard, but you gotta be patient. If you cut it too soon, it’ll be all gummy. But once it’s cooled, oh boy, you’re in for a treat. Slather on some butter, and you got yourself a meal fit for a king, or a queen, or just a regular person like me.
Making bread ain’t hard, you just gotta pay attention to what you’re doin’. And don’t be afraid to experiment. Maybe you want to add some other herbs, like rosemary or thyme. Or maybe you want to add some cheese, or some garlic. Go ahead, do what you like, it’s your bread. Just remember, the most important thing is to have fun. And if it doesn’t turn out perfect the first time, don’t worry about it, just try again. You’ll get the hang of it eventually.
Baking takes practice and patience, just like my grandma used to say. Don’t get discouraged if your first loaf isn’t perfect. Keep trying and you’ll get better. And remember, even if it’s not perfect, it’ll still taste good with a bit of butter.
Tags: [dilly bread, homemade bread, bread baking, easy bread recipe, baking tips, dill, dry milk, yeast bread, fluffy bread, soft bread]