1. Irish Soda Bread
This is a wonderful place to start if you don’t think you can bake bread. Irish soda bread is quick and easy to make, and the buttermilk gives it a lovely moistness and richness. With only five ingredients, you can make a lovely loaf to serve with Irish stew.
2. Pan de Muerto (Mexican Day of the Dead Bread)
It is an essential aspect of Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations each fall when many households serve a loaf of pan de Muerto for the enjoyment of visiting souls. This sweet circular loaf with dough pieces shaped like bones and tears is popular in Mexico City and is created with orange zest and aniseed.
3. Classic Crusty French Bread
Crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, classic French bread is one of life’s true pleasures. With just one rise and no bread machine, this simple recipe makes two excellent baguettes that can be cut and slathered with butter or dipped into hearty braises and stews.
4. Khobz (Moroccan White Bread)
Moroccan white bread has a circular, flattish shape similar to pita. It’s typically used to scoop up tagines, but it can also be used as sandwich bread. To achieve its characteristic, gritty texture, use bread flour or another high-gluten flour blend.
5. Focaccia di Toscana
Focaccia is a soft flatbread with a crisp top and light crumb that is drenched in olive oil. Try it as a delicious alternative to garlic bread when dining Italian. Although this bread is best eaten the same day it is cooked, leftovers can be sliced and used in a Panzanella salad.
