TRADITIONAL COTTAGE LOAF - OLD FASHIONED RUSTIC ENGLISH BREAD
Just the shape of this traditional loaf of bread is reminiscent of ploughman's lunches and warm cottage kitchens! A delightfully shaped loaf of bread, which represents all that is rustic and rural in Britain, but especially England. This bread keeps well and makes lovely, if odd shaped sandwiches! Cut the loaf into wedges and serve with freshly churned butter and a hunk of mature Cheddar cheese, maybe with a pickled onion or two. Quintessential British bread at its best. This reminds me of baking days in my grandmothers' old cottage, sitting in her warm and cosy kitchen; she would have baked this in her wood burning Aga stove, as I sometimes do in the winter when my Godin wood burning stove is working. I often leave the first batch of dough to prove and rise overnight - leave it in a cool but NOT cold place, and then continue shaping and proving it next morning. We used to call this wooden spoon bread when we were little, as you push a wooden spoon down through the two loaves to stick them together before baking! Preparation time includes the proving of the dough - but NOT the overnight method!
Provided by French Tart
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h15m
Yield 1 Large Cottage Loaf, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Sift flour and salt into a bowl, stir in sugar and yeast. Make a well in the centre, stir in the tepid milk and water to make the dough. (If using fresh yeast - put the yeast in a jug with a little of the milk and water mixture, and allow it to dissolve and become frothy - mixing thoroughly, then add it to the flour.).
- Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 to 15 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Put the dough in a large, clean, oiled bowl. Cover with oiled clingfilm and leave in a warm place until it has doubled in size.Then knead the dough for 1 minute and divide it into two-thirds and a third. Shape the pieces into rounds. Cover them and leave for 5 minutes.
- Put the smaller round on top of the larger one. Push a floured wooden spoon (or your fingers) through the centre of both rounds, to join them together. Take a very sharp knife and make cuts all around the top round and the bottom round - see my photos. Put the cottage loaf on a lightly floured baking tray, cover and leave for about 45 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 220C/440F/Gas 7.
- Beat the egg with a tablespoon of water and a pinch of salt. Brush the glaze over the cottage loaf and bake for about 35 to 45 minutes, until dark golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped beneath.
- Cool before slicing. Delicious served with butter, jam, cheese, cold meats or make sandwiches or toast for picnics and breakfast!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 356.1, Fat 3.6, SaturatedFat 1.6, Cholesterol 42.6, Sodium 815.1, Carbohydrate 67.3, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 1, Protein 11.9
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MD GIYASDDUIN
[email protected]This cottage loaf is the perfect bread for any occasion. It's delicious, easy to make, and it's sure to please everyone.
A'Taya Taylor
[email protected]This cottage loaf is the perfect bread for breakfast. It's so soft and fluffy, and it's perfect for spreading with your favorite jam or butter.
eldoville dairies
[email protected]This cottage loaf is the perfect bread for winter. It's so warm and comforting, and it's perfect for a cozy night in.
The midnight _Mouse
[email protected]I love this cottage loaf! It's so versatile. I've used it for sandwiches, toast, and even croutons. It's always delicious.
Kumail Zahid
[email protected]This cottage loaf is the perfect bread for any occasion. It's delicious, easy to make, and it's sure to impress your guests.
Johnny Martens
[email protected]I've been baking for years, and this is one of the best cottage loaf recipes I've ever tried. It's so delicious, and it's always a hit with my family and friends.
Shankar Mahato
[email protected]This cottage loaf is the perfect bread for beginners. It's so easy to make, and it's always a hit.
tapiwa matora
[email protected]I'm not a baker, but I was able to make this cottage loaf with no problem. It's so easy to follow the instructions, and the bread turned out perfectly.
Saim Cheema
[email protected]This cottage loaf is amazing! I've never had bread this good before. It's so soft and fluffy, and the flavor is perfect.
Trippie Joe
[email protected]I'm so glad I found this cottage loaf recipe. It's the perfect bread for my family. It's delicious, easy to make, and it's always a hit.
shahryar malik
[email protected]This is the best cottage loaf recipe I've ever tried. It's so easy to make, and it always turns out perfect. I highly recommend it.
Form Three
[email protected]I love this cottage loaf! It's so versatile. I've used it for sandwiches, toast, and even croutons. It's always delicious.
Fatimo Carew
[email protected]This cottage loaf is the perfect bread for sandwiches. It's sturdy enough to hold up to all your favorite fillings, but it's also soft and fluffy enough to be enjoyable to eat.
Doffin Coffin
[email protected]I've made this cottage loaf several times now, and it always turns out perfect. It's so easy to make, and it's always a hit with my family and friends.
FARABI CHOWDHURY
[email protected]This is the best cottage loaf I've ever had. It's so soft and fluffy, and the crust is just perfect. I will definitely be making this again.
Danny Brown
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of bread, but this cottage loaf is an exception. It's so good, I could eat it every day.
AVERY DAVID
[email protected]This bread is amazing! I made it for my family and they loved it. It's so soft and fluffy, and the flavor is perfect.
Walu Kam
[email protected]I've been looking for a good cottage loaf recipe for ages, and I'm so glad I finally found this one. It's the best I've ever tasted.
Khnaan Bawa g
[email protected]This cottage loaf is the perfect comfort food! It's so easy to make and it turns out so delicious. I love the rustic look of it, and the crust is just perfect. I'll definitely be making this again and again.