It's Bread Making Time

I am out of bread at my house. Normally this would mean a trip to the grocery store. Instead however, I am going to use this opportunity to learn how to make my own bread. Crazy I know, especially since I am not a natural bread maker. I have however learned one trick of the trade: I use my bread machine (that I bought at Good Will for $6) for the dough cycle. It makes REALLY great dough. I have already tried two recipes that turned out really great (and will be even better with more practice on my part!):

Dinner Rolls

1 1/4 cup warm water
2 1/4 tsp yeast
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup oil
5 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Put these ingredients into your bread machine in the order listed above. When the dough is finished, turn onto a lightly floured surface and form into rolls. (for a tutorial on how to do this, click here.) Put into a 9x13 greased dish, cover and let rise about an hour. Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes. Makes about 2 doz rolls.

Italian Bread Using a Bread Machine

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 1/3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

1 egg
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons cornmeal

Place flour, brown sugar, warm water, salt, olive oil and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.

Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Form dough into two loaves. Place the loaves seam side down on a cookie sheet generously sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise, until doubled in volume about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the risen loaves with egg mixture. Make a single long, quick cut down the center of the loaves with a sharp knife, or make 3 diagonal lines down the loaf (like you see at restaurants).

Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.


I will post more good recipes as I find them. Happy bread making!