Rice Yeast Bread: Soft, Flavorful, and Unique

In a small bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy and bubbly.

2. Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cooked rice, the yeast mixture, and olive oil or melted butter (if using). Mix everything together to form a dough.

3. Knead the Dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, but be careful not to add too much.

4. First Rise
Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

5. Shape and Second Rise
Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Shape the dough into a loaf by rolling it into a tight cylinder and placing it in a greased loaf pan. Cover the pan again and let the dough rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen to the top of the pan.

6. Bake the Bread
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough has finished its second rise, place it in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

7. Cool and Serve
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve!

Serving and Storage Tips