Basic Bread

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 6 cups unbleached bread flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 tablespoons wheat germ (optional)

Recipe

• 1 n a large bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer) whisk together the water, yeast and sugar. let stand for 10 minutes, or until the yeast looks creamy.
• 2 add the remaining ingredients and mix until well blended (or on low for about 2 minutes with a dough hook).
• 3 turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board, and knead, adding more flour if you need, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the dough is elastic and smooth (or mix on medium for about 8 minutes, until the dough has the same appearance).
• 4 shape the dough into a smooth ball and place in an oiled bowl that allows enough room for the dough to grow. cover the bowl tightly with film wrap or a damp towel, and set aside to rise for about one hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
• 5 turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board, gently flatten the dough, and cut into two equal portions. shape each portion into a log (i just roll the dough up somewhat tightly) and seal the seam by pressing on it. place each piece of dough into a greased 9x5" loaf pan, seam side down,.
• 6 lightly spray the tops with pan spray, and cover again with film wrap or a damp towel. allow the loaves to rise about an hour to an hour and a half, until they are about doubled. preheat the oven to 350f while the dough is rising.
• 7 bake the loaves for 30 to 45 minutes, or until they are a deep golden brown, and sound hollow when the bottoms are thumped (you'll have to tip them out of their pans to test this). i did gently brush the tops of the loaves with egg whites for shine before i baked them.
• 8 allow the bread to cool about 30 minutes or longer.