Destination: Isolation - Simple Bread Recipes from around the World

If you can’t make it to your favourite cafe that offers the world’s best sourdough right now, or you’ve simply reached that stage of the home isolation - here are 10 breads from around the world and the best beginner recipes that you can try out at home. 

From Brioche, Focaccia, Naan to ShaoBing, we’ve compiled all the recipes here so you can start bragging about your new domestic skill: baking bread!

Ciabatta is a white bread made from these four main ingredients - wheat flour, salt, yeast and water. Crisp on the outside, and airy on the inside, it is often served alongside olive oil.

Traditionally, naan breads are baked inside a very hot tandoor oven over charcoal or wood fire. There is probably a pretty low chance that you have a tandoor oven sitting idly in your kitchen, but fret not! Here is a recipe that will allow you to recreate the same delicious bread with beautiful golden spots, with only a stove top and cast-iron skillet.

Pretzels have been around for centuries and are a type of baked bread that is twisted into a knot-like shape and typically sprinkled with salt. Over the years, it is evolved quite a bit and can now be seen served with various toppings and dipping sauces. It can even be found in Disneyland shaped like Mickey!

ShaoBing is a Northern Chinese flatbread that is often eaten during breakfast and is also a common street food. It can be eaten with or without stuffing, and sometimes with sesame seeds on the top. Amongst the stuffings include red bean paste, stir fried mung beans with egg and tofu, black sesame paste or braised beef.

No scene in France is complete without a baguette in hand! These long loaves originate from the Latin word for ‘stick’. This bread with the crackly crust is great for a picnic- simply slice it into inch thick rounds and spread with butter, margarine, cream cheese and such.

Typically served on Day of the Dead each year to honor their ancestors, this Mexican bun is dusted with sugar and also incorporates hints of orange blossom. It is sometimes decorated with skulls and crossbones and offered as blessings for the beloved deceased.

Some ways to describe brioche bread include- ultra soft, rich and buttery! It is of French origin and its high egg and butter content which gives it a rich and tender crumb at the top. In France, the Viennese Bakery made this bread very well known and it was all uphill for there.

This bread is a staple in Morocco and characterised by a round, flat shape and a slightly coarse texture. This bread is primarily eaten alongside Tagines- where you use pieces of bread to scoop them up instead of a fork. Khobz can also be split open and eaten with stuffings like grilled meats.

Did you know? All the ingredients to make focaccia is naturally vegan - it is crisp outside and soft inside- perfect to serve alongside soup and stews.

This flatbread is usually topped with olive oil, species and other products- it is said to be an early prototype of modern pizza!

This is a bread has the most intricate braiding and practically glows on the table! You’ll find Challah making an appearance from Hanukkah to Sunday supper.

Off you go, time to fill your home with the aroma of freshly-baked loaves of bread! And if you’re keen to switch gears over to cooking instead of baking: