Bread

Not sure if I have ever mentioned, but I do not buy store bought bread at my house (unless I get CRAZY lazy and am having an off week! LOL My kids love my bread and I really don't mind making it! And I have to say that when friends are having an event they often ask me to bring my bread! I think there is nothing fancy about it, but I guess there is something about homemade bread that people can't resist! LOL

Prep

 Here is my recipe and a few pics to go with!! hehe I grab out all my stuff! I have ZERO counter space, and when I say that, the only counter in my kitchen is a small area beside my sink that is only big enough to put a strainer, so all of my work in my kitchen is done at my kitchen table!

foamy yeast

I use 1 1/2 C. warm water, it should feel warm but not hot on your wrist. to hot and it will kill yeast not hot enough and the little buggers will not wake up. I use 2T. sugar and 2T. honey (however  only guestimate my honey because it us such a pain to measure in a spoon.) and 2 1/4 tsp yeast (or 1 package but because it is cheaper to buy in a big bag I never buy the pre measured packages). Stir till honey and yeast are disolved and let proof for @ 10 min. It should look like the pic on the side after it has sat.
Add dry ingredience 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 C. oil, 1/3 C. dry milk solids, 4 1/2 C. Flour. Now, I know there are people who tell you to only use bread flour, but I have used both bread flour and regular (unbleached) flour and I have not found a difference besides price!! So I use regular old nothing fancy flour!! I do normally use EVOO but occasionally if I am out I do use veg oil or whatever I have on hand!

Mix first!!

The twins...kind of!

 My hands are very week so I cheat and do not kneed by hand! I bought two bread machines at the Salvation Army (for less than $5 each) and I mix them in there! I do find that if I stir the mixture first I get a better texture to my bread! So I mix only till the flour is slightly moistened!!
Most bread machines have a dough setting and that is what I use! Part of the reason I use this is also because my house is cold and drafty and I get a better first rise out of the dough!!

Radiator...

After the machine(s) have done their part it is all up to me! I punch it out on a floured surface and form each one into two loaves. Spray the pans with non stick spray and cover to let rise. I have old radiator heat in my house and have to say the only thing I love it for is rising bread in the winter!! I do

After they rise.

 also put a pan of water under my pans and think it helps to keep them moist! Let rise for 40 min and when my timer goes of I turn on the oven to 350 and let preheat. When the oven beeps that it is ready I bake the bread for 28 min. Now I know that a lot of recips tell you to give them a little egg wash to make them shiny and pretty, but I have to admit that unless I am making them to take them somewhere I do not do this! My kids don't care what it looks like and well we already go through eggs like they are going out of style! LOL so often I have no eggs! But since this batch was to take to houses for Christmas Eve I did do an egg wash! Just one egg white and a Tablespoon or so of water and brush on right before you are ready to bake!!

MMM bread!

Take them out of their pans to cool as they will continue to bake if left in pans! I put mine back on my cooling rack and it is all I can do to keep the kids from cutting into them! LOL The warm heels are the most coveted part of the bread in my house!! I do let them stand for at least 15 min before I cut into them just to let them finish cooling and baking! mmmmm fresh baked bread!!!

Have a great day and try to make some bread!!
Josie