Bread
One of the loveliest things we make.
Beneath a golden crust, soft as a sun-warmed stone, lies a tender crumb perfumed with mellow cheese and the sweet whisper of leeks. This loaf is for slow afternoons, when the air is filled with birdsong and the promise of butter.
INGREDIENTS
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1 plump leek, white and pale green parts only, finely sliced
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A drizzle of olive oil or a pat of butter (your call, dear heart)
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2 cups (250g) strong white bread flour – the kind that feels like sifted moonlight
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1 tsp sea salt, like tears from the sea
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1 ½ tsp instant yeast, spirited and ready to rise
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¾ cup (180ml) warm water – just warmer than a cat’s breath
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1 cup (100g) grated sharp cheddar, or whatever cheese sings to your soul
HOW TO
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In a pan, warm your oil or butter. Add the leeks and let them soften slowly, until they melt like a sigh and begin to caramelize at the edges—golden, not crisp. Let them cool while you coax your dough to life.
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast. Make a well in the middle and pour in your warm water. Stir with a wooden spoon or your bare hands, until it comes together like a sleepy dough-cloud.
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Tuck in the cooled leeks and grated cheese. Knead until everything is nestled in evenly—about 8–10 minutes by hand, or 5 minutes in a machine. The dough should be smooth, stretchy, and a little fragrant.
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Let it Rise - Place your dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or a tea towel with daisies on it, and let it rise somewhere warm until doubled—about 1 hour, or the length of a long cup of tea.
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Shape the Dream - Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it as you wish—round like a midsummer moon, or nestled into a loaf tin. Let it rest again, covered, for another 30–40 minutes.
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Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Slash the top if you like—a single graceful cut. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until your bread sings when tapped and wears a crust the colour of toasted fields.
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Let it rest before slicing, if you can bear to wait. Enjoy with salted butter, perhaps a dab of chutney, and the breeze of a wide-open window