First off all, line a 1lb loaf tin with greaseproof paper. I've found the loaf has a tendency to tick if the tin is not lined.
Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Add the water and mix until you get a soft dough. The water is variable as flours vary, some need more, some less, you are aiming at a fairly soft mix, this gives the yeast a chance to do its job. There is no need to knead the dough.
Cover with a plate and leave to rise for half an hour or so in a warm place. If you don't have a warm place, heat the oven to 40C, turn it off and place the tin inside, shutting the door
Tip the dough into the lined tin and put back in the oven, uncovered, to rise until the dough is above the top of the tin.
Bake the loaf at 180C and cook for about half an hour. The bottom should sound hollow, if it doesn’t, pop it back in the oven for a few more minutes, You can leave it out of the tin at this point.
Leave to cool. Cut into 4 x 2 slice portions if you are following meal plan 2
Notes
If you are following meal planner 2, this loaf divides into 4 x 2slice portions, to be eaten on 2 different days. If you aren’t following the planner, do what you like! Even more delicious eaten warm from the oven with butter melting over itYou can use any type of flour here, as long as it has gluten in it. Bread flour will give a higher rise and a springier finish, cheapy flour gives a perfectly fine loaf. I have used both
Variations
If you have any thyme growing on your windowsill, a few sprigs would give a lovely flavour, or maybe some bayleaves, keep them whole tho, you can’t really eat them, unless you use the ground version. Some fine chopped rosemary would work well. Or how about some orange or lemon zest and juice. You could add some spice, maybe some ginger, or mixed spice, cinnamon or a bit of nutmeg.You could replace the carrots and raisins with courgette and apple, or sweet potato and sultanas. Have a look in your cupboard and see what you have.This features in Meal Plan 2, a complete 7 day plan for 2 adults. Contains 3 meals a day, plus snacks , all recipes and a shopping listGot a great recipe? How about submitting it to appear on Thrifty Lesley!