Easy Bread.

Ingredients:

3 cups hot water
1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast
1/3 cup sugar or honey
5 cups whole wheat flour

Mix above ingredients until moistened and allow to sit for 30 minutes until bubbly.  Then add the following:

1 Tablespoon salt
1/3 cup sugar or honey (optional depending on how sweet you want it)
1/4 cup oil
2-4 cups flour (whatever type you want, I've done white, wheat, rye, and oat all with delicious results)

Directions:

Knead for 10 minutes on low speed with a dough hook and then allow to rise for 1 hour.  Punch down and divide into 3 loaves.  Place in greased 9x5 inch loaf pans and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch or so.  This last part is one of the most important I think, giving it enough time to rise properly (I would say at least an hour).  Bake at 350º for 30 minutes!

I usually start the bread around noon and it's ready in time for dinner.  I love this recipe because it is so versatile and I have never once had a problem with it.  I have made it whole grain, white, or a combination, I've made it sweeter or saltier and used it for pizza, rolls, or pigs in a blanket, etc. and enjoyed it every time.  I also love that it has very few ingredients so I always have what I need to make it.

Submitted by: Meggan