Homemade bread

This is a super easy recipe I have been using for homemade bread after much testing and seeing what works best after some just ok, then some pretty good loaves I adapted and found what works best. This makes a 1-lb loaf if you want to make a two point loaf simply double this recipe.

Here it is.

Ingredients:
3 Cups of Flour. *
2 Tbsp Oil (olive, vegetable or canola will work)
1 tsp Salt
2 Tbsp Sugar or Honey
1 Tbsp of Yeast
1 Cup + 1 Tbsp of Water (Note: You can also replace water with whey** or partially with milk)


Instructions:

Step 1 - Make your dough starter. Mix 1 cup of flour with your yeast, salt, sugar, water and oils in a bowl. Let that sit for about 10 - 20 minutes until doubled in size.

Step 2 - Add the remaining 2 cups of flour. If your dough is too sticky add dough until your dough clears the sides of your bowl. Knead your dough for 5-10 minutes on a floured surface. Allow to rise 30 minutes covered.

Step 3 - Grease your loaf pan. Knead and shape your dough into a loaf. Place into your pan. Allow your dough to rise in the loaf pan for 30 - 45 minutes covered with a light weight towel. Do not disturb or poke at your dough or all the height gained will deflate. If needed let rise longer until dough is at a good height, just above the pan is good as it will rise more when baking.

Step 4- Preheat your oven to 350. As the oven is preheating my stove top gets pretty warm and allows the loaf to continue rising a bit longer while it preheats. Once the oven is ready, place your loaf in the oven for 20 - 30 minutes.

Step 5 - Remove from pan and allow to cool on a cooling rack.

Or do what I do and have yourself a slice of that nice warm deliciously fresh bread with some butter or jam or even a sandwich.

Bread is my weakness!!! So is pasta and rice. Uuugghh all the stuff full of carbs... But thats besides the point.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and your fresh bread.

* You can use 1-2 cups of wheat flour. More than that ends up kind of dry/dense.
** Whey is by product of cheese making. I had lots left over last week from making ricotta. It gives bread a nice flavor. I will share the ricotta recipe soon. If you make it do not throw out your whey. Remember use everything waste less.

Note you can also use a food processor with a dough attachment.