The Sustenance of the Soul

By: Addie Gerber

Throughout the history of mankind, there have been many major inventions that have shaped life as we know it. From the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440, to the first mechanical computer by Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage in 1822, to the creation of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, to name a few (Andrews). One invention that has continued to support humans from the very early days of their existence might come as a surprise to some. This being, bread. In Bernard Dupaigne’s book, The History of Bread, bread “can be traced back to a time when people began to crush grains, grind them, and mix them with water” (Dupaigne 10). After this mixing, early humans started cooking this combination into a solid by frying it on stones, creating what we might consider as a flatbread in today’s standards. Another similar example would be the Jewish unleavened bread known as matzah. (Lohman)

Bread has remained one of the most highly consumed foods for a few reasons. The first being cost. The amount of money needed to buy the ingredients is minimal compared to many other dishes. That being said, it is also because of the amount of ingredients needed. Basic breads only require a few essential items: flour, water, and salt. Breads can also require the usage of yeast, but not always. The mixture of these simple elements seem easy on paper, but when put into practice it can intimidate some people. But there is a secret to making bread, it is not that hard to do. It is important to assess your baking and bread experience before choosing a recipe.   If you are looking for an easy, no-knead bread that does not take too long to make, there is a perfect recipe for you! Whether you are making bread for the first time, or are a professional baker, this recipe will hit the spot. 

First you start with the gathering of the ingredients. As stated previously, bread only requires a few items. For this recipe you will need: 3 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt,  ½ teaspoon of yeast, and 1½ cups of warm water. Mix all of these ingredients into a large mixing bowl. You might find it easier to mix the dry ingredients into the water, instead of the other way around. After all the ingredients are combined, then comes the most important step; letting the dough rest! To let the dough rest, you will want to cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap, and let it sit at room temperature on the counter for anywhere from 8 to 24 hours. If you are looking to eat the bread on the same day as preparing it, I highly recommend making the dough earlier in the morning so that it has time to rest and grow.

After waiting the appropriate amount of time, sprinkle a bit of flour on the counter and form the dough mixture into a ball. Cover the ball with a towel and let it sit for another 30 minutes. While the dough is resting, preheat the oven to 450°F. It is important that when preheating the oven, you keep the baking dish you will be using in the oven. For best results, it is recommended to use a baking dish with a lid, like a dutch oven or an oven safe pot. When 30 minutes passes and the oven is heated, remove your baking dish carefully, as it will be hot. This also goes for the lid! Place your dough ball into your dish, do NOT grease the dish in any way, cover and place back in the oven. Bake covered for 30 minutes and then another 15 minutes uncovered. For best slicing, let the bread completely cool before taking a knife to it. For serving, you can enjoy it any way you tend to eat your bread. I personally prefer toasting a slice lightly and spreading a bit of butter and jam on top!

At the end of the day, it is important for humans to be able to fend for themselves, at least in the slightest bit. With this recipe, you will find it easy to fend yourself from hunger time and time again!

 

Works Cited

Andrews, Evan. “11 Innovations That Changed History.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 18 Dec. 2012, www.history.com/news/11-innovations-that-changed-history.

Dupaigne, Bernard. The History of Bread . Harry N. Abrams, Publishers, 1999.

Lohman, Sarah. “A Brief History of Bread.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 18 Dec. 2012, www.history.com/news/a-brief-history-of-bread.