Chive, Yoghurt & Oat Bloomer Loaf

Recipe for: BREAD – Chive, Yoghurt & Oat Bloomer

Ingredients:

·        350ml warm water

·        1 tsp fast action yeast

·        1 large bunch chives, finely chopped (or use spring onions, or onion)

·        200ml yoghurt

·        400g strong white bread flour

·        100g strong wholemeal flour

·        2tsp salt

·        Handful oats

·        Oil for kneading

Method:

1.      Pour water into a large bowl

2.      Add yeast & chives & mix well

3.      Stir in yoghurt

4.      Add salt & both flours, mixing well

5.      Pull together into a single sticky ball

6.      Leave in the bowl, cover with a clean cloth & leave to stand for 10 minutes

7.      Lightly oil worktop & knead the dough gently for 10 seconds

8.      Return to bowl, cover & leave for a further 10 minutes

9.      Knead again for 10 seconds, return to bowl, cover & leave for 90 minutes, until risen by at least half

10.   Prepare two dinner plates: on one put two sheets of kitchen paper, wet with water.  On the other spread out a handful of oats

11.   Line a large oven tray with baking parchment

12.   Get the ball of dough & roll it on the wet plate to moisten the surface, then roll around in the oats until they stick all over, then place into the baking tray

13.   Cover with dry cloth & allow to rise again for about an hour

14.   Heat the oven to 220C/ fan 200C

15.   Using a serrated knife slash the top of the loaf diagonally five or six times

16.   Bake in the hot oven for 40 minutes until golden

What else you need to know:

1.      This looks complicated, but it isn’t!

2.      The loaf will be thin and flat & will develop a very firm crust

3.      It has a lovely sourdough type taste to it – delicious!

4.      Great with soft cheeses