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Easy Honey Olive Oil Bread

June 27, 2012 by Nancy Lopez-McHugh 48 Comments

*The YBR deadline is tomorrow. Don’t forget to add your recipe on this page http://www.spiciefoodie.com/ybr-signup-temporary-page/ *

*This recipe was previously published as a guestpost at BakerStreet.tv*

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

Why is yeast so intimidating to so many of us? Is it because yeast is a single-celled living organism, which has to die in order for our breads to rise? Perhaps. But in reality the reason for being intimidated by yeast is probably more based on fear that our breads won’t rise. When I began baking with yeast that was always a concern in the back of my head. Nowadays I’m more comfortable baking with yeast.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

I personally found a few steps or tips that helped get me get over my fear of yeast. The first was making sure the liquid called for in bread recipes was warm. The warm temperature helps the yeast activate. Many recipes will give you exact temperatures that the water should be. I don’t use a thermometer, instead I go by what feels like luke-warm temperature. The next tip that always put me at ease about yeast rising is proofing. Yeast proofing is when the yeast is dissolved in warm liquid before bringing all ingredients together. By proofing the yeast I can then see if it foams, which means the yeast is alive, or if nothing happens then the yeast is dead and no good for baking. In cases when the yeast does not foam then I simply discard the water yeast mix and begin all over. That way I won’t have to wait until the bread is baked and end up with a flat, heavy brick of a bread. Another thing I do is mix the sweetener, called for in a recipe, with the warm liquid and yeast. I read somewhere that the sugar helps the yeast activate.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

The tips or steps above are once I like to use no matter if the recipe calls for mixing the yeast with the dry ingredients or not. Yes, I am aware that you don’t need to proof instant yeast. That is just something that I like to do and you can choose otherwise, we all have our ways of doing things. This is what has worked for me and may or may not work for you. You’ll only find out what works best for you by experimenting and tweaking your skills.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

While I don’t consider myself a master baker tackling a basic yeast bread is a walk in the park. I promise that even the most novice bakers can handle this simple olive oil bread. The recipe I’m going to share is one of my favorites and go to bread recipes. It is a small loaf perfect for a small family.

(If you would like to publish my recipe on your website please quote Spicie Foodie as the recipe creator, and place a link back to the recipe.)

Easy Olive Oil Bread
2 cups or 240 grams bread flour or all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp honey
3/4 cups (175 ml) warm water
1 small packet of instant yeast = 1 tbsp
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, good quality

extra flour for kneading
extra olive oil to brush bowl and bread

1. In a small bowl combine honey, water, and yeast, stir to combine a bit. Put aside to proof yeast for about 5 minutes, or until yeast begins to foam. In a separate bowl combine the flour and salt. Once the yeast has foamed you can proceed to step 2.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

2. Make a well in the center of flour bowl. Pour the olive oil, then the water-yeast mixture into the center of flour bowl. Using a wooden spoon stir until a wet dough forms, then switch to your hands for kneading. Depending on how wet the dough is, and the humidity in your kitchen, you will need to add a little bit of flour at a time to form an elastic dough that does not stick to your hands. Continue kneading until a smooth dough is formed, about 10 minutes.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

3. Remove the dough and set aside, brush or rub a little bit of olive oil inside the bowl. Place the dough back into the bowl, brush with a little oil, cover and leave to rise in a warm place.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

Leave to rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in sizes.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

Once doubled, preheat oven to 375f or 190c and prepare a baking sheet or bread mould. Remove the risen dough from the bowl, gently knead into desired shape or place inside bread mould.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

Leave to rise another 10 minutes. Place bread in center of oven and bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool before slicing.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

The bread will feel crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. The honey also gives it a slight sweetness which I love. It is perfect as a side to pasta night, as a sandwich bread, or to simply enjoy with your favorite spread alongside some coffee or tea.

Olive Oil Bread, Spicie Foodie

 

What about you, what is your favorite bread to bake?

This bread is being sent to Heather’s BYOB (Bake Your Own Bread) event. Link up yours
BYOB 125 x 125

Filed Under: Baked

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Comments

  1. ATasteOfMadness says

    June 27, 2012 at 06:58

    This looks absolutely delicious!
    I have only made bread twice in my life (this is not, of course, including banana bread, although I would say that if it did, that would be my favorite bread to bake) so I don’t really have a preference.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 27, 2012 at 15:30

      Thank you! Banana bread totally counts, I love it:)

      Reply
  2. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    June 27, 2012 at 06:59

    I saw this on Baker Street and it looks amazing – can’t wait to try!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 27, 2012 at 15:31

      Hi Laura,

      Yes, I did a guest post for Anuradha. Thank and enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Rosa says

    June 27, 2012 at 07:32

    A lovely bread! Baking with yeast is so much fun…

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 27, 2012 at 15:30

      Thanks Rosa and yes it is.

      Reply
  4. TastefullyJulie says

    June 27, 2012 at 17:04

    Well, great minds DO think alike. I’m working on a beginner yeast bread post right now! My bread looks a lot like yours but I’m sure yours is better. Mine was actually my very first yeast bread!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 13:17

      Haha, that’s great Julie! I’ll stop by to check it out. I doubt mine was better, I’m sure yours is delicious too:)

      Reply
  5. RavieNomNoms says

    June 27, 2012 at 18:43

    This looks so good! I am always afraid to make bread, I have a complex! haha, I really want to try though.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 13:18

      Thank you Ravie:) If I can do it so can you,hehe

      Reply
  6. DB-The Foodie Stuntman says

    June 27, 2012 at 19:11

    Yep, baking scares the &*(?^$! out of me. Glad you gave some helpful hints.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 13:18

      Haha, no need to be scared of it DB:)

      Reply
  7. Patty says

    June 27, 2012 at 20:52

    Your bread looks perfectly wonderful! Nancy, even your step by step photos are drop dead gorgeous;-) You are an inspiration!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 13:19

      Aw Patty you are too sweet, thank you:)

      Reply
  8. Heather @girlichef says

    June 27, 2012 at 22:25

    Wonderful post and gorgeous loaf of bread, Nancy. I hope you’ll stop by and share it with BYOB – Bake Your Own Bread this month (http://www.girlichef.com/p/byob-bake-your-own-bread.html) =)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 13:19

      Hi Heather,

      Thanks, I’d love to join you. In fact I’ve been meaning to, but I always forget. It’s because I don’t bake often enough.

      Reply
      • Heather @girlichef says

        June 28, 2012 at 14:52

        Just happy to have you join in now! =) thanks so much for sharing this beautiful loaf.

        Reply
        • Spicie Foodie says

          June 28, 2012 at 20:39

          Hi Heather,

          Me too and thanks again for the invite.

          Reply
  9. Suzanne Perazzini says

    June 27, 2012 at 23:09

    I have been making bread for years but I must admit I do use a breadmaker but I don’t cook it in there. I take out the dough and do lots of different things with it. It always works out so no fear for me.
    I had almost forgotten about the YBR. I must try and get that done tonight after work.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 13:20

      Hi Suzanne,

      I’ve never used a bread machine, though I am curious about them. Hope to see you link up to the YBR.

      Reply
  10. Eha says

    June 28, 2012 at 05:51

    I must admit to a degree of yeast-phobia :) ! What if the dough does not rise as promised, what if it does not look as soft and pliable as all the videos and films show! What if I am so dumb and unlovable that it refuses to do ‘its own thing’ for me? Yes, have put recipes aside because have not wanted to fail: must NOT 3 x !!!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 13:21

      Lol Eha:) You just have to get in the kitchen and do it. Besides if the bread fails, flour and yeast are relatively cheap and you can try again:)

      Reply
  11. Joy says

    June 28, 2012 at 07:28

    The bread looks great.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 13:21

      Thank you Joy!

      Reply
  12. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    June 28, 2012 at 09:59

    Nice, I don’t see any fears in your bread making! =) I’m afraid of bread making mainly because I feel like my home is too cold for yeast to rise. I learned about oven technique etc, but I see a lot of people just leave it on the kitchen counter and it rises like crazy. I’ve never had that experience…so I’m too scared to try (and not rise). Your bread looks absolutely delicious…. Maybe I’ll give it a try when I’m not too busy with the kids and I can focus. =)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 13:23

      Hi Nami,

      I hide them well, lol:) My house is the old European stone type and always cool or cold. If it rises in mine, surely it will in yours. You could also try leaving it by a window or near an appliance the radiates heat, that would also help. Good luck and I hope you can bake something soon:)

      Reply
  13. Joanne says

    June 28, 2012 at 14:09

    Yeast-baking really isn’t that bad when you get the hang of it! And your bread looks absolutely divine!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 20:38

      Hi Joanne,

      Thank you:)

      Reply
  14. dassana says

    June 28, 2012 at 15:30

    lovely bread & lovely pics. good to know that you don’t get scared of yeast. i also make a lot of breads at home and do not have any yeast phobia.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 20:39

      Good for you Dassana:) Thanks!

      Reply
  15. Faith says

    June 28, 2012 at 16:05

    There is nothing that fills the house as beautifully as the smell of baking bread! What a gorgeous loaf this is. Thanks for your step-by-step instructions and tips — I will be referring back to them!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 28, 2012 at 20:39

      Thanks Faith!

      Reply
  16. anna says

    June 29, 2012 at 03:28

    it is the worst when yeasted bread won’t rise! it’s so rarely salvageable, and all that effort/ingredients to waste…i live near a bakery now so i get all my bread from the experts, but whenever i move i will have at the yeast baking once again. this recipe looks sooo good, i will have to start here :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 30, 2012 at 14:46

      Yes, it’s pretty disappointing too. Glad you have a great bakery. We do too but it’s still fun baking my own some times:)

      Reply
  17. Cósima says

    June 29, 2012 at 13:16

    I like the bread you have prepared. Thank you for the recipe. I’ll try it adding little bits of black olives. I’m following you from Spain

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 29, 2012 at 14:26

      Hi,
      Thanks and yes bits of olive would make it taste fantastic.

      Reply
  18. Ramona says

    June 29, 2012 at 23:18

    Easy and baking bread don’t usually go together for me because I’m scared of dough… but it looks like I could try it. :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 30, 2012 at 14:46

      Don’t be Ramona. If I can do it so can you;)

      Reply
  19. thyme (sarah) says

    June 30, 2012 at 13:56

    That does look like a perfect loaf to eating all by itself. Lightly toasted with a hot cup of coffee for breakfast…yum.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 30, 2012 at 14:47

      Thanks Sarah! Yes, that’s exactly how I enjoyed the bread.

      Reply
  20. Yelena says

    July 2, 2012 at 02:13

    Your bread looks perfect1 I like to bake some bread from time to time. Homemade bread is more flavorful then store one, and of course more healthier-)))

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      July 3, 2012 at 14:04

      Thank you Yelena! I couldn’t agree more. Though I am spoiled because we have a great organic bakery near by.

      Reply
  21. Magic of Spice says

    July 3, 2012 at 22:13

    I saw this last night…what a gorgeous loaf!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      July 4, 2012 at 14:27

      Thanks Alisha, I saw you Tweeted and Pinned it:)

      Reply
  22. Casey says

    July 5, 2012 at 14:49

    Beautiful bread.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      July 5, 2012 at 19:51

      Thanks Casey!

      Reply
  23. vianney says

    July 7, 2012 at 02:38

    Goregous loaf Nancy!! Your step by step ohotos are amazing! Giving this a try this weekend! can;t wait!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      July 7, 2012 at 23:38

      Thanks Vianney! I hope you enjoy the bread:)

      Reply

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