Homemade Quinoa Bread

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

1. 1
   Dissolve the yeast and the sugar in the lukewarm water and leave about 5 minutes, until the mixture foams.

   💡If the mixture doesn't foam in that time, the yeast is no longer active, or the water was too hot. Start over with fresh yeast and body-temperature water.
2. 2
   Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.

   Bowl
3. 3
   Add the yeast mixture and the oil and Knead about 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth, pliable and doesn't stick to your hands.

   ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer

   💡For yeast dough, use the windowpane test: a small piece stretches into a thin, translucent sheet without tearing, and that's the sign the kneading is done. Add flour only by the tablespoon, and only if the dough is still sticky after a few minutes: too much flour makes a tough dough.
4. 4
   Add the quinoa and Knead another 1 minute, just until it is evenly spread through the dough.

   ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer
5. 5
   Cover and Let rise 1 hour in a warm place, until the dough doubles in size.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel

   💡Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot. The dough is ready when it has doubled, and a gentle finger press leaves a dent that fills back slowly; if it springs right back, wait longer.
6. 6
   Shape the dough into a loaf and place on a baking sheet lined with floured parchment paper.

   Baking panParchment paper
7. 7
   Let rise another 30 minutes.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel
8. 8
   Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).

   ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
9. 9
   Score an X on top of the loaf with a sharp knife.

   Knife

   💡The score decides where the bread opens in the oven: without it, the loaf bursts at a random spot on the side.
10. 10
    Bake 30–35 minutes, until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

    ⚙ BakingOvenBaking pan

    💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.