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Portuguese Bread Recipe

Portuguese Bread Recipe

You will love this warm Portuguese Bread Recipe. It is very fresh and tasty. Learning how to make Portuguese Bread is quite simple. This bread smells like a cozy home.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Baking Sheet
  • Clean Towel
  • Measuring cups
  • Oven Mitts
  • Wire Cooling Rack
  • Sharp Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups WARM WATER
  • 1 tbsp ACTIVE DRY YEAST
  • 1 tbsp SUGAR
  • 4 cups ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
  • 1.5 tsp SEA SALT
  • 2 tbsp OLIVE OIL
  • 1 tbsp CORNMEAL

Instructions
 

Step 1:

  • Mix the warm water and the sugar. Add the yeast into the warm water. Let it sit for five whole minutes. It should look a bit bubbly now.

Step 2:

  • Add the olive oil to the bowl. Stir in the sea salt very slowly. This helps the yeast stay very active. Use your wooden spoon for this part.

Step 3:

  • Add the flour one cup at a time. Stir until a sticky ball forms. The dough should pull away from sides. Do not add too much flour yet.

Step 4:

  • Put the dough on a floured surface. Knead the dough for ten full minutes. It should feel very smooth and stretchy. This builds the strength of the bread.

Step 5:

  • Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with your clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot. Wait for one hour for it to double.

Step 6:

  • Punch the dough down with your fist. This removes the large air bubbles inside. Shape it into a long oval loaf. Place it on your prepared baking sheet.

Step 7:

  • Let the loaf rise one more time. Wait for about thirty more minutes now. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The oven must be very hot first.

Step 8:

  • Cut three small slits in the top. Use a very sharp knife for this. This helps the bread expand while baking. Bake for twenty-five to thirty minutes total.

Step 9:

  • Tap the bottom of the hot loaf. It should sound hollow like a drum. This means the bread is fully cooked. Let it cool before you slice it.

Notes

Use warm water, not hot water for yeast.
Always measure your flour with a flat cup.
Let the dough rise in a warm corner.
Knead the dough until it is very smooth.
Do not skip the second rise time ever.
The oven must be fully preheated before baking.
Spray the oven with water for crispy crust.
Wait for the bread to cool before slicing.
Use Ingredients for Portuguese Bread that are very fresh.
Keyword Portuguese Bread Recipe