Portuguese farmer's bread

Ingredients for 6 servings:

• 500 g flour, whole wheat flour
• 1 pinch of salt
• 2 tsp yeast (dry yeast)
• 250 ml water
• olive oil

Instructions

Working time approx. 30 minutes; Rest time approx. 1 hour; Total time approx. 1 hour 30 minutes

Bread

Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center. Slowly pour in the water, stirring to incorporate it into the dry ingredients and form a firm dough. Add a little more water if necessary. Form the dough into a ball and place it on a lightly floured surface. Knead thoroughly until smooth and elastic—about 15 minutes. Form it into a ball again. Lightly oil a bowl. Place the dough ball in the bowl and turn to coat. Cover and let it rise slowly in a draft-free place until it has doubled in size. Knead the dough again on the floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Form it into a ball about 20 cm in diameter, place it on a lightly oiled baking sheet, and let it rise again until it has doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Heat the bread stone, if using. Bake the loaf – on a baking stone if necessary – for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180°C and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Let it cool on a wire rack.