How do you make Tudor bread?

Making Tudor Bread: A Journey Back in Time

Tudor bread was a staple food during the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547) and was made with simple ingredients and techniques. Here's a guide to making your own Tudor bread:

Ingredients:

* 2 cups (250g) strong white bread flour

* 1 teaspoon (5g) salt

* 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar

* 1/2 cup (120ml) lukewarm water

* 1/4 cup (60ml) milk

* 1 tablespoon (15g) yeast

Instructions:

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and sugar.

2. Activate the yeast: In a separate bowl, combine the lukewarm water, milk, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

3. Combine wet and dry: Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture.

4. Knead the dough: Using your hands or a stand mixer, knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until smooth and elastic.

5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

6. Shape the bread: Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a round loaf.

7. Second rise: Place the loaves on a lightly floured baking sheet, cover them with a clean cloth, and let them rise for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.

8. Bake the bread: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the loaves for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

9. Cool and enjoy: Let the loaves cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and enjoying.

Tips for Authentic Tudor Bread:

* Use stone-ground flour: This will give the bread a more rustic texture and flavor.

* Avoid using modern yeast: Traditional yeast would have been less active and would have required a longer rising time. You can mimic this by using a smaller amount of active dry yeast.

* Don't overknead: Tudor bread was often a bit rough and rustic, so don't worry about getting it perfectly smooth.

* Use a Dutch oven: Baking in a Dutch oven will create a more evenly baked and crusty loaf.

Variations:

* Add herbs and spices: Tudor breads were often flavored with herbs like rosemary, thyme, and savory. You can also add spices like caraway, cumin, or coriander.

* Make rolls or flatbreads: Instead of shaping the dough into loaves, you can make smaller rolls or flatten the dough into a thin sheet for a flatbread.

Enjoy your journey back in time! You can pair your homemade Tudor bread with a simple meal of roasted vegetables, soup, or stew.