Lulu’s simple white loaf

Step 1

Mix the flour, yeast and salt. Add the olive oil and gradually stir in the tepid water, adding only enough to make a soft dough. Knead with a dough hook in a tabletop mixer for about 7 mins, or using your hands on a lightly floured surface for about 10 mins, until the dough feels bouncy and looks silky rather than dimpled. Put in an oiled bowl, cover and leave to rise until doubled in size.

Step 2

Oil a 2lb loaf tin. Knock back the dough by kneading the air out of it, then gently mould the dough into a thick sausage. Drop into the tin, cover and prove for 1 hr more until doubled in size.

Step 3

Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas Dust the loaf with flour and cut a slash in the top with a sharp knife. Bake for 30-35 mins until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath. Cool on a wire rack.