COB LOAF

PREPARATION TIME: 2 hours

COOKING TIME: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp Dried yeast

2 tsp Caster sugar

1 cup Warm water

3 cups Plain flour

1 tsp Salt

1 tbsp Olive oil

1 Egg, beaten

Flour for dusting

METHOD

Whisk yeast, sugar and warm water together in a bowl. Stand in a warm place for 10 minutes or until frothy.

Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix to form a dough. 

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough for 10 minutes until smooth. 

Place in a large bowl and roll the ball of dough in a little olive oil to coat it. Cover with a tea-towel and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour until the dough doubles in size.

Punch the air out of the dough. Knead until smooth. 

Lightly flour a baking tray. Form dough into a round loaf. Place on the prepared tray. Cut a few shallow diagonal lines across the top of the dough. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. 

Preheat fan-forced oven to 180°C. Brush the top of the dough with egg. Dust with flour. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Turn bread, top side up, onto a wire rack to cool.