How to Make Bread

Home made bread is just plain better than any bread you can buy in a grocery store. And it is very easy to make.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 package of yeast
• Flour
• Water
• Salt
• mixing bowl
• baking pan
• butter or pan spray
• plastic wrap
• optional: a thermometer

1. Break making takes about three or four hours, but there is only about 15 minutes of actual work and the rest is time allowed for the bread to rise two times and bake.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of warm water (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit) with 2 teaspoons of yeast, a teaspoon of sugar (optional) and a 1/4 teaspoon of powdered ginger (also optional.) Allow this mixture to sit for a few minutes while you measure the other ingredients.

3. Measure a tablespoon of salt and 5 cups of flour. You can use unbleached white flour (wheat, of course) or a combination such as 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 3 cups of white flour. You can also (optional again) add a couple of tablespoons of wheat germ, or corn meal, or ground oatmeal flakes. Stir to combine.

4. Check the yeast and water. If the yeast is starting to foam slightly, it is alive and you can proceed. Stir in about 4 cups of flour and keep stirring until a ball of dough forms. It should be soft and still a little sticky.

5. Pour the remaining flour on your counter or bread board and spread it out a bit. Flour your hands too. Scrape the bread dough onto the flour and roll it around to coat it with flour. Then start to knead: press the ball of dough away with the heel of your hand. Turn the dough a quarter turn and press again with the heel of your hand. Keep turning and pressing. Add a little flour as needed, but try not to add a lot of flour. The dough should still be soft and springy and will gradually lose the stickiness. Knead for about ten minutes.

6. Clean and spray your mixing bowl (a little oil or Pam or something like that.) Put the ball of dough back in the bowl and cover the bowl with a damp towel. Put the bowl of dough somewhere warm (I stick mine in the microwave and close the door.) Allow the dough to rise for an hour. At the end of an hour the dough should be about twice as large, and should be soft and springy.

7. Punch the dough (just like it sounds.) Separate the dough into two pieces. Work each peace into a nice round smooth ball. Pinch the bottom securely so it doesn't spread out too much. You can use oiled baking pans or just put both balls on a large oiled cookie sheet for rustic loaves. Cover again with a damp towel. Allow to rise again for an hour. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees fahrenheit for 50 minutes. Allow to cool before slicing!!!

Tips & Warnings

• take your time, enjoy the process
• don't worry too much about the outcome - bread making is easy
• don't use very hot water as it can kill the yeast. Just a nice warm temperature, about as warm as a bottle of baby milk
• don't eat all the bread at once! It does have calories...

[Glencap]

on 3/22/2009 I am so eager to try this. I don't think I've ever had homemade bread in my entire life. Thank you for sharing your recipe. Great work.