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Soft Homemade Bread to Go with Chili

Bread to go with chili - the image is a close-up of a freshly baked loaf of bread on a wooden cutting board. the bread appears to be golden brown in color and has a soft, fluffy texture. the top of the bread is covered in a layer of powdered sugar, giving it a shiny appearance. the cutting board is placed on a dark wooden table with a blue cloth napkin on the side. the background is blurred, making the bread the focal point of the image.

This soft homemade bread is perfect for serving alongside chili. It has a tender crumb and a slightly chewy crust, ideal for soaking up the rich flavors of your favorite chili recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

3 1/2 cups (420 grams) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 cups (300 ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for greasing

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Stir to combine evenly.
Add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or dough hook until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Alternatively, knead with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for 6-7 minutes on medium speed.
Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with olive oil.
Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Shape it into a loaf and place it into the prepared loaf pan.
Cover the loaf pan loosely with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes until it has risen about 1 inch above the edge of the pan.
Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing.
Slice the bread into 8 pieces and serve warm alongside your favorite chili.