English Muffins

Total Time: 1 hr 44 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 14 mins

Ingredients

• 3 cups unbleached bread flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 ounce yeast
• 1 tablespoon melted butter or 1 tablespoon olive oil
• rice flour or semolina or cornmeal, for dusting

Recipe

• 1 generously flour a non-stick baking sheet. very lightly grease a griddle. sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl and make a well in the center. blend 5 fl oz of the milk, sugar and yeast together. let stand 5 minutes. stir in the remaining milk and butter or oil.
• 2 add the yeast mixture to the center of the flour and beat together for 4-5 minutes until smooth and elastic. the dough will be soft but just hold its shape. cover with lightly oiled clear film and leave to rise, in a warm place for 45-60 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
• 3 turn out the dough on a well floured surface and knock back. roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. using a floured 3 inch plain cutter, cut into 9 rounds.
• 4 dust with rice flour or semolina and place on the prepared baking sheet. cover and leave to rise, in a warm place, for about 20-30 minutes.
• 5 warm the griddle to a medium heat. carefully transfer the muffins in batches to the griddle. cook slowly for about 7 minutes on each side or until golden brown. transfer to a wire rack to cool.