Yes, it is possible to cook bread in the microwave! However, you don't have to use exactly the same ingredients needed for a traditional bread because the recipe is more similar to that for a sugar-free cake. You can make bread in the microwave in 5 minutes, plus the time it takes to knead the dough.
Ingrediants
- 75 g of flour 00
- 30-45 ml of oil
- 5 g of yeast
- 30-45 ml of milk
- 30 ml of water
- 1 egg
- 5 g vanillin (optional)
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Mix the Ingredients
Step 1. Mix the ingredients in a large bowl
First, add the 75 g of white 00 flour. If you wish, you can also add other types of flour, such as almond, wholemeal and manitoba flour. You can make a mixture of flours, but remember that each product has a different moisture content and cooking characteristics. If you change the type of flour, you need to slightly change the recipe as well.
If possible, use very "refined" 00 flour. This has a lower protein content than the less processed ones and lends itself better to quick bread preparation
Step 2. Add 5 g of yeast and the same amount of vanillin
The yeast will "increase" the volume of the bread, but don't overdo it, otherwise you will lose control of the dough! Vanillin is entirely optional, it has no impact on the process, but it makes the bread slightly sweet.
Step 3. Add the egg
Break it up and pour the contents into the mixture, stirring. The size of the egg, in this case, is not important, even if a large egg makes the bread more moist. Be careful not to drop any shell fragments in the flour.
Step 4. Add 30-45ml of milk
You can use whatever you prefer: cow, almond, coconut or hemp. If the milk is thicker, it will give the bread a richer flavor and nutritional value. However, the function of milk is to moisten the flour so that it clumps together.
Step 5. Add 30ml of water
Also in this the liquid you add has the function of forming the dough. If you don't use water, the bread will be too dry; mix it in the bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
Step 6. Pour 30-45ml of oil
You can use any type of oil (seed, coconut, or olive). Also in this case the function is to moisten the dough, but you will notice that different oils give very different aromas to the bread.
Part 2 of 2: Bake the Bread
Step 1. Knead the ingredients
Work the dough with clean hands until you get a homogeneous and elastic consistency. Knead firmly to blend the moist ingredients evenly. Continue this way for 2-5 minutes or until you can stretch the mass without breaking it.
Step 2. Shape the dough
Make sure your hands are clean, then give the dough an oval or spherical shape. This will be the definitive shape of the loaf, so carefully choose the look you want to give your preparation. Score the surface with a blade to create an X, so the loaf won't break during rising.
Step 3. Place the dough on a microwave-safe plate
Most glass or ceramic containers are suitable for this purpose; never put metal in the microwave for any reason. Many containers that can be used in the microwave oven are marked with a special symbol. Use a shallow dish, with a flat base, which will allow you to easily remove the bread after baking.
Try using a large ceramic mug. This material is microwave safe and you can remove it from the oven without burning yourself. This is the best solution for baking sandwiches
Step 4. Microwave the bread for 5 minutes on maximum power
When you take it out of the appliance, it will be ready to eat. If your oven model has a glass door, you can periodically check the cooking process to avoid losing control of leavening or burning the bread. If you have the impression that the bread is dry, shriveled and crumbly, then it means that all the moisture has been removed. Slice it and bring it to the table.
Step 5. Enjoy your meal
Advice
- Use a knife to check if the bread is cooked. If you take out the blade still wet, it means that the bread is not ready.
- By modifying the recipe slightly you can make a chocolate donut. Add about 30g of cocoa powder and 15g of sugar, then shape the dough into a donut. Maintain the same cooking times.
Warnings
- Don't overdo it with milk or water, or you won't be able to keep the dough compact. If you find that you have used too much liquid, add more flour.
- Remember that sourdough bread is best cooked in a traditional oven or bread maker. For this reason, it is best to use chemical yeast for the microwave recipe.
- With this cooking method it is impossible for a brown crust to form, moreover the leavening during cooking is very accentuated, which causes problems: the consistency may not be uniform because the gas pockets collapse during rising. Remember that you can't use the classic baked bread recipe to prepare it in the microwave.
