Bread

On Tuesday since it was (and by was I mean still is) freezing I was craving soup and fresh warm homemade bread for dinner.  So when I got home from work that is exactly what I did. Over the past year I have really embraced bread making and feel as if I have mastered the art of yeast.  It is one of my proudest accomplishments.  So for dinner on Tuesday, I made a large batch of vegetable soup and this homemade bread.  It turned out really well and was just what I wanted.

(This is not my picture, I was to busy shoving bread in my face to be worried about picture taking, and I obviously don't have plates like that)

Ingredients:

• 6 cups All-purpose Flour (I used about half white whole wheat flour and it was wonderful)
• 5 teaspoons Instant Active Dry Yeast
• ⅓ cups Sugar
• ¼ cups Dry (powdered) Milk
• 1-½ teaspoon Salt
• 2-½ cups Warm Water
• ¼ cups Vegetable Oil
• 1 whole Egg White
• 1 Tablespoon Water

Instructions:

In bowl combine: 2 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, milk, and salt and stir. Add water and oil and beat for 2 minutes. Add remaining flour (4 cups) and knead until smooth and elastic.
Let it rise in lukewarm place for 30 minutes.

Divide the dough in half; and then divide each half into 3 portions. Roll each portion into a long rope and place on a greased baking sheet.

Braid the three pieces together and repeat with the other 3 portions. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Beat the egg white and water and brush onto each loaf.

Bake at 375 degrees (F) for 25-30 minutes or golden brown .

SO moral of the story is, you should make this.  It will make you happy.